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Communication Disorders

Documentation Guidelines for Communication Disorders.


Assessment Providers

Speech and language disorders refer to problems in communication and related areas, such as oral motor function. Communication disorders include stuttering, impaired articulation, language impairment, or a voice impairment that adversely affects a student’s educational performance. Some causes of speech and language disorders include hearing loss, neurological disorders, brain injury, or physical impairments. Speech or language deficiencies resulting from second language acquisition and/or dialectic differences are not considered Communication Disorders. A qualified professional, such as a licensed or certified Speech and Language Pathologist, should be trained in assessing, diagnosing, and treating Communication Disorders.


Assessment Documentation

The documentation must be typed and dated within three to five years. Documentation must include a comprehensive speech-language assessment that reflects the current impact of the identified impairment on academic performance. If the documentation is inadequate in content or does not address the individual’s current level of functioning and need for accommodation(s), additional documentation may be requested. 

Required in Documentation
Clinician’s name, title, license/certification credentials, phone/fax numbers, address, signature, and date(s) of assessment
Summary of the clinical interview to include
  • Relevant historical information (medical, developmental, educational, and psychosocial)
  • Complete results of intelligence testing and a battery of tests that measure both receptive and expressive language development
  • The names of the tests administered
  • Standard and/or percentile scores for all normed measures (all subtest scores must be reported)
Interpretative summary of all instruments used to assess for Communication Disorder
Diagnostic statement identifying the disability
Evidence of current impact that significantly impairs functioning in two or more life activities, in particular, the academic setting
Treatments, medications, accommodations/auxiliary aids, services currently prescribed in use
The expected progression or stability of disability over time
Suggestions of reasonable accommodations that might be appropriate at the postsecondary level. These recommendations should be based on significant functional limitations and should be supported by the diagnosis.

To request this page or any information referenced on the page in an alternative format, please email sar@uwf.edu.