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Language Impairment (LI)
Definition
Language impairments are disorders of language that interfere with communication, adversely affect performance and/or functioning in the student’s typical learning environment, and result in the need for exceptional student education. A Language impairment is defined as a disorder in one or more of the basic learning processes involved in understanding or in using spoken or written language. These include:- Phonology – Phonology is defined as the sound systems of a language and the linguistic conventions of a language that guide the sound selection and sound combinations used to convey meaning;
- Morphology – Morphology is defined as the system that governs the internal structure of words and the construction of word forms;
- Syntax – Syntax is defined as the system governing the order and combination of words to form sentences, and the relationships among the elements within a sentence;
- Semantics – Semantics is defined as the system that governs the meanings of words and sentences; and
- Pragmatics – Pragmatics is defined as the system that combines language components in functional and socially appropriate communication.
The language impairment may manifest in significant difficulties affecting listening comprehension, oral expression, social interaction, reading, writing, or spelling. A language impairment is not primarily the result of factors related to chronological age, gender, culture, ethnicity, or limited English proficiency.
This definition is found in State Board of Education Rule 6A-6.030121, F.A.C.
Contacts
- LI Program Specialist: Karen Hallinan,
- LI District Contacts
State Laws and Regulations
The rules referenced below are specific to LI. Please refer to Volume I-B: Florida Statutes and State Board of Education Rules, Excerpts Related to Exceptional Student Education (PDF, 3MB) for a complete listing of laws and regulations applicable to exceptional student education.- 6A-6.030121, F.A.C.: Exceptional Student Education Eligibility for Students with Language Impairments
- 6A-4.0176, F.A.C.: Specialization Requirements for Certification in the Area of Speech-Language Impaired (Grades K-12) - Academic Class
- 6A-4.01761, F.A.C.: Specialization Requirements for Certification in the Area of Speech-Language Impaired/Associate - Academic Class
Department of Education Resources
Publications
- Technical Assistance Paper DPS: 2010-179 Exceptional Student Eligibility for Students with Language Impairments (PDF)
- Technical Assistance Paper DPS: 2009-099 – Questions and Answers Regarding Speech/Language as a Related Service (PDF)
- Technical Assistance Paper K12: 2007-137 - Questions and Answers Regarding Speech-Language Impaired Associate Certification (PDF)
- Technical Assistance Paper FY 2006-1 - Roles of Speech-Language Pathologists in Regard to Reading (PDF, 117KB)
Projects
Online Modules
Presentations
- Overview of the Revised Speech and Language Rules (PowerPoint Presentation, 2MB)
- Overview of the Revised Speech and Language Rules (RTF, 301KB)
- Context for Change (PowerPoint Presentation, 8MB)
- Context for Change (RTF, 159KB)
- Problem Solving and Response to Intervention (PowerPoint Presentation, 2MB)
- Problem Solving and Response to Intervention (RTF, 209KB)
- Problem Solving for Speech-Language Pathologists (PowerPoint Presentation, 6MB)
- Problem Solving for Speech-Language Pathologists (RTF, 167KB)
- Language Impairment and Specific Learning Disabilities Interface (PowerPoint Presentation, 2MB)
- Language Impairment Rule Crosswalk (PDF, 471KB)
State Resources
- Florida Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (FLASHA)
- Florida Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance, Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology