Clinical Forum Prologue: Speech Sound Disorders in Schools: Who Qualifies?

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this clinical forum is to provide guidance on which children with speech sound disorders should qualify for services in the public schools. The articles in the forum consider how to define impaired articulation (viewed more broadly as referring to articulation and phonology), adverse effects, and educational performance.

Conclusion: The take-home message across articles is that determining eligibility for speech-language services is complex, requiring a comprehensive understanding of a child's skills with speech sounds but also the impact of their speech errors on written language and social–emotional well-being. These decisions cannot be made quickly with minimal information. Speech-language pathologists may need to advocate for a realistic allotment of time to conduct a comprehensive assessment, including time to think about the results and implications of that assessment.