Here are the three types of speech impairments discussed at the website “Project IDEALonline”:

1. Articulation disorders: These disorders involve difficulty producing speech sounds correctly. For example, a child with an articulation disorder may say “wabbit” instead of “rabbit” or “potty” instead of “kitty.”
2. Fluency disorders: These disorders involve difficulty with the rhythm and flow of speech. For example, a child with a fluency disorder may stutter or repeat words or syllables.
3. Voice disorders: These disorders involve difficulty with the quality, pitch, or loudness of the voice. For example, a child with a voice disorder may have a hoarse voice or speak too loudly or too softly.

Examples of each type of speech impairment:

• Articulation disorder: A child with an articulation disorder may say “wabbit” instead of “rabbit” or “potty” instead of “kitty.”
• Fluency disorder: A child with a fluency disorder may stutter or repeat words or syllables. For example, a child may say “I-I-I w-w-want to go to the p-p-park.”
• Voice disorder: A child with a voice disorder may have a hoarse voice or speak too loudly or too softly. For example, a child with a voice disorder may have a hard time being heard in the classroom.

How a student might demonstrate each type of speech impairment in the general education classroom:

• Articulation disorder: A student with an articulation disorder may have difficulty participating in class discussions or reading aloud. For example, a student may have trouble saying words like “Mississippi” or “squirrel.”
• Fluency disorder: A student with a fluency disorder may avoid speaking in class or participating in activities that require speaking. For example, a student may be reluctant to raise their hand to answer a question or to read aloud.
• Voice disorder: A student with a voice disorder may have difficulty being heard in the classroom or may become tired from speaking. For example, a student with a hoarse voice may have to strain to speak loudly enough to be heard.

How to support students with speech impairments in the general education classroom:

There are a number of things that teachers can do to support students with speech impairments in the general education classroom. Some tips include:

• Be aware of the student’s specific speech impairment. This will help you to understand the student’s challenges and to develop appropriate accommodations and modifications.
• Provide the student with extra time to respond to questions and to complete assignments. This will give the student time to produce speech clearly and to avoid feeling rushed.
• Allow the student to use alternative forms of communication, such as writing or assistive technology. This will help the student to communicate effectively even if they have difficulty speaking.
• Create a supportive and accepting classroom environment. Make sure that students know that it is okay to make mistakes and to ask for help.

If you have a student with a speech impairment in your classroom, please do not hesitate to reach out to their speech-language pathologist for additional support.