Definition of Speech or Language Impairment
Professional Diagnosis and Intervention
Language Disorder
Speech Disorder
Criteria for Non-identification

[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 45, Volume 4]
[Revised as of October 1, 2006]
[CITE: 45CFR1308.9][Page 166]
TITLE 45--PUBLIC WELFARE
CHAPTER XIII--OFFICE OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
PART 1308_HEAD START PROGRAM PERFORMANCE STANDARDS ON SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES--Table of Contents
Subpart D_Health Services Performance Standards

Sec. 1308.9 Eligibility criteria: Speech or language impairments.

Definition of Speech or Language Impairment

(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.

Professional Diagnosis and Intervention

(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.

Language Disorder

(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).

Speech Disorder

(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).

Criteria for Non-identification

(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.

See also:
     Speech and Language Impairments