Teacher Strategies: Speech/Language Impairments
Speech and Language Disorder Accommodations may include:
Speech and language disorders may be managed by computerized voice synthesizers or electronic speaking machines. Speech therapy is frequently used to improve certain disorders. Anxiety and stress often accompany oral communication and exacerbate the problem.
Special Considerations:
The student may speak slower in class and should be given time to express his/her thoughts. Interrupting or completing a sentence for the student is not helpful and may lead to embarrassment. It is appropriate to ask the student to repeat the statement. Summarizing the message helps the student to check for accuracy of understanding. The instructor's acceptance and support of the student is important to facilitate communication and manage the speech disorder. If an oral presentation is required the instructor should discuss alternatives with the student.
Reference: http://www.uhh.hawaii.edu/~accred/disability/speech.html
Tips for Teachers
—Learn as much as you can about the student’s specific disability. Speech-language impairments differ considerably from one another, so it’s important to know the specific impairment and how it affects the student’s communication abilities.
—Recognize that you can make an enormous difference in this student’s life! Find out what the students' strengths and interests are, and emphasize them. Create opportunities for success.
—If you are not part of the student’s IEP team, ask for a copy of his or her IEP. The student’s educational goals will be listed there, as well as the services and classroom accommodations he or she is to receive.
—Make sure that needed accommodations are provided for classwork, homework, and testing. These will help the student learn successfully.
—Consult with others (e.g., special educators, the SLP) who can help you identify strategies for teaching and supporting this student, ways to adapt the curriculum, and how to address the student’s IEP goals in your classroom.
—Find out if your state or school district has materials or resources available to help educators address the learning needs of children with speech or language impairments. It’s amazing how many do!
—Communicate with the student’s parents. Regularly share information about how the student is doing at school and at home.
- Modifying assignments such as one-to-one presentation or use of computer with voice synthesizer
- Substituting written papers or a project for oral class report.
Speech and language disorders may be managed by computerized voice synthesizers or electronic speaking machines. Speech therapy is frequently used to improve certain disorders. Anxiety and stress often accompany oral communication and exacerbate the problem.
Special Considerations:
The student may speak slower in class and should be given time to express his/her thoughts. Interrupting or completing a sentence for the student is not helpful and may lead to embarrassment. It is appropriate to ask the student to repeat the statement. Summarizing the message helps the student to check for accuracy of understanding. The instructor's acceptance and support of the student is important to facilitate communication and manage the speech disorder. If an oral presentation is required the instructor should discuss alternatives with the student.
Reference: http://www.uhh.hawaii.edu/~accred/disability/speech.html
Tips for Teachers
—Learn as much as you can about the student’s specific disability. Speech-language impairments differ considerably from one another, so it’s important to know the specific impairment and how it affects the student’s communication abilities.
—Recognize that you can make an enormous difference in this student’s life! Find out what the students' strengths and interests are, and emphasize them. Create opportunities for success.
—If you are not part of the student’s IEP team, ask for a copy of his or her IEP. The student’s educational goals will be listed there, as well as the services and classroom accommodations he or she is to receive.
—Make sure that needed accommodations are provided for classwork, homework, and testing. These will help the student learn successfully.
—Consult with others (e.g., special educators, the SLP) who can help you identify strategies for teaching and supporting this student, ways to adapt the curriculum, and how to address the student’s IEP goals in your classroom.
—Find out if your state or school district has materials or resources available to help educators address the learning needs of children with speech or language impairments. It’s amazing how many do!
—Communicate with the student’s parents. Regularly share information about how the student is doing at school and at home.