SLI – Speech Language Impairment

A speech language impairments is defined as “a communication disorder such as stuttering, impaired articulation, a language impairment, or a voice impairment that adversely affects a child’s educational performance.”

Each point within this official definition represents a speech and language subcategory.

• “A communication disorder such as stuttering” provides an example of a fluency disorder; other fluency issues include unusual word repetition and hesitant speech.
• “Impaired articulation” indicates impairments in which a child experiences challenges in pronouncing specific sounds.
• “A language impairment” can entail difficulty comprehending words properly, expressing oneself and listening to others.
• “A voice impairment” involves difficulty voicing words; for instance, throat issues may cause an abnormally soft voice.