Published Article

ABSTRACT

Speech is defective when it deviates so far from the speech of other people that it

calls attention to the speaker, interferes with normal communication, or causes

embarrassment to the impaired individual. This study aims to assess the

characteristic, symptoms and intervention strategies of speech impairment. The

study revealed that speech impairment is characterized by difficulty in articulation

of words. Examples include stuttering or problems producing particular sounds.

Its symptoms include: struggles to say sounds or words (stuttering), speaks in

short, fragmented phrases (expressive aphasia), struggles with using words and

understanding others (global aphasia), slow rate of speech (apraxia) and slurred

speech (dysarthria). The study also averred some intervention strategies such as

allowing the impaired child to mix freely and interact with other children in

situations where speech occurs spontaneously. The study concluded that because

speech impaired children often feel isolated and different from their peers,

especially older pupils when their disability persists, counseling is required. It was

therefore recommended that the government should adopt a multidisciplinary

approach that positions speech disorders as both a health and educational

responsibility, recognizing the educational implications of speech disorders and

the need for additional school-based learning support including the provision of

speech services as part of a holistic development program.

Keywords: Speech Impairment, Characteristics, Symptoms and Intervention

Strategies