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Teaching Students With Speech Impairments
Speech impairments range from problems with articulation or voice strength to complete voicelessness. They include difficulties in projection, as in chronic hoarseness, fluency problems, stuttering, stammering, and the nominal aphasia that later effects the articulation of particular words or terms.
Some of these difficulties can be managed by such mechanical devices as electronic "speaking" machines or computerized voice synthesizers. Others may be treated through speech therapy. All of them can be aggravated by the anxiety inherent in oral communication in a group.
Teaching Strategies
Patience is the most effective strategy in teaching students with speech impairments.
- Give students the opportunity, but do not compel them, to speak in class.
- Permit students the time they require to express themselves without unsolicited aid in filling in gaps in their speech. Don't be reluctant to ask the student to repeat a statement.
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