When a person is unable to produce speech sounds correctly or fluently, or has problems with his or her voice, then he or she has a speech disorder . When a person has trouble understanding others ( receptive language ), or sharing thoughts, ideas, and feelings completely ( expressive language ), then he or she has a language disorder . A language disorder may be comprised of difficulties with understanding meanings of words, putting words together, or using language appropriate to the situation. Speech and language services meet the needs of students in Kindergarten through eighth grade with a speech and/or a language disorder.
Students may be referred for a speech and language screening or evaluation by teachers, speech language pathologists, or parents. Once parental consent is received, a full speech and language evaluation is completed. Results may or may not make a student eligible to receive speech and language services. All Kindergarten students are screened near the beginning of the school year to identify possible speech or language difficulties. Parents who have concerns about their preschoolers' speech or language development may attend a screening offered twice during the school year. Parents may contact the Spring Hills School office for more information.