• Speech & Language Terms

    I. Language:

     A student with a language dysfunction exhibits significant difficulties in processing auditory information, syntax, semantics, and/or pragmatics.

    • Receptive Language - the ability to understand and interpret what one hears - comprehension, vocabulary
    • Expressive Language - use of words and sentences to convey messages and thoughts, and engage in conversation.
    • Syntax and Morphology - comprehension of word order and rules of language.
    • Semantics- meanings of words.
    • Pragmatics- ability to functionally employ all communication skills to be an effective speaker and listener.
    • Auditory Processing- the ability to decipher auditory stimuli, cognitive processing of words, and connected utterances or sentences.

    II. Articulation (Speech Production):

    Articulation or phonological errors persisting beyond standard  developmental milestones, particularly if these errors interfere with overall intelligibility. 

    III. Fluency:

    A student with a fluency disorder may exhibit an inappropriate rate of speech, characterized by any of the following: repetitions, prolongations, blocks, hesitations, interjections, broken words, revisions, incomplete phrases, or ancillary movements that are indicative of stress or struggle

    IV. Voice:

    A voice disorder is characterized by an abnormal production or absence of vocal quality, pitch, loudness, resonance,or duration, that is inappropriate for an individual's age and/or gender.

    V. Hearing:

    A student identified with a mild to severe hearing loss who is in need of supplemental speech, language, and/or aural rehabilitation, may be eligible for services.