(a) A speech or language impairment means a
communication disorder such as stuttering, impaired articulation, a language
impairment, or a voice impairment, which adversely affects a child's learning.
(b) A child is classified as having a speech or language impairment whose
speech is unintelligible much of the time, or who has been professionally
diagnosed as having speech impairments which require intervention or who is
professionally diagnosed as having a delay in development in his or her primary
language which requires intervention.
(c) A language disorder may be receptive or expressive. A language disorder
may be characterized by difficulty in understanding and producing language,
including word meanings (semantics), the components of words (morphology), the
components of sentences (syntax), or the conventions of conversation
(pragmatics).
(d) A speech disorder occurs in the production of speech sounds
(articulation), the loudness, pitch or quality of voice (voicing), or the rhythm
of speech (fluency).
(e) A child should not be classified as having a speech or language
impairment whose speech or language differences may be attributed to:
(1) Cultural, ethnic, bilingual, or dialectical differences or being
non-English speaking; or
(2) Disorders of a temporary nature due to
conditions such as a dental problem; or
(3) Delays in developing the
ability to articulate only the most difficult consonants or blends of sounds
within the broad general range for the child's age.
