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Speech or Language Impairment (SLI)
Speech or Language Impairment (SLI) Description:
In order for a student to be eligible for a Speech or Language Impairment, under the classification headings of articulation, fluency, voice, functional communication or delayed language development, must be evidence of dysfunction in one or more of the following criteria:
- Receptive and expressive language (oral and written) difficulties including syntax (word order, word form, developmental level)
- Semantics (vocabulary, concepts and word finding)
- Pragmatics (purposes and uses of language)
- Auditory processing, including sensation (acuity), perception (discrimination, sequencing, analysis and synthesis) association, auditory attention
- Deficiency of structure and function of oral peripheral mechanism
- Articulation including substitutions, omissions, distortions or additions of sound
- Voice, including deviation of respiration, phonation (pitch, intensity, quality), resonance
- Fluency, including hesitant speech, stuttering, cluttering and related disorders
- Problems in auditory perception such as discrimination and memory.
SLI is most often addressed in schools by Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) and Speech-Language Pathology Assistants (SLPAs).
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Office Hours
Shani O'Brien will hold monthly office hours resuming in the Fall of 2023. Check back later for specific dates.
Colorado Speech or Language Impairment Guidelines for Assessment and Eligibility
Colorado Communication Rating Scales
The Communication Rating Scales are to be used with students 3-21 years of age.
Printable Versions
Electronic Versions
Speech-Language Pathology Office Hours
Shani O'Brien will hold monthly office hours resuming in the Fall of 2023. Check back later for specific dates.
Get Connected Quick Links
Speech-Language Pathology Listserv
The Colorado Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) listserv shares resources, professional development and training opportunities and provides information including current trends, research, and ongoing topics of interest related to SLPs. The purpose of this network is to provide information and news regarding the profession and research; announce professional development and training opportunities; and post school-based job openings. Our focus is to better the lives of students with Speech-Language Impairments and benefit the families, communities, and professionals who support them. This service is chat-free and does not include advertisements from vendors or contract-based companies. To subscribe to the SLP Listserv, please follow the directions below.
Join the SLP Listserv
To subscribe to the CO-SLP listserv:
- Open a new email.
- In the “To” field, type the email SLP-subscribe-request@cdelist.cde.state.co.us and send the message.
- Once added, you will receive a confirmation email.
- If you have a problem, email Shani O'Brien.
To unsubscribe from the CO-SLP listserv:
- Open a new email.
- In the “To” field, type the email SLP-unsubscribe-request@cdelist.cde.state.co.us
- In the body of the message write, “unsubscribe SLP” and send the message.
- You will automatically be unsubscribed.
Listserv Disclaimer:
A variety of learning opportunities, information, and resources are provided on this listserv. These materials do not represent an exhaustive list, nor are they required or endorsed by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE). The identification or description is for the purpose of providing information and resources and does not constitute CDE's endorsement. Every effort has been made to identify the citation for the resource; please maintain the citation and/or authorship when adapting or modifying these materials.
Associations & Committees
ASHA State Education Advocacy Leader (SEAL)
State Education Advocacy Leaders (SEALs) are appointed to advocate on education issues by CSHA our ASHA recognized state speech-language hearing association. The SEAL’s purpose is “to enhance and perpetuate the advocacy, leadership, and clinical management skills of school-based ASHA members at the state and local levels to influence administrative and public policy decisions that affect the delivery of speech-language pathology and audiology services in school settings.” Find more information about SEALs and who represents Colorado.
The Colorado Speech-Language Hearing Association (CSHA)
CSHA is a professional association consisting of speech-language pathologists and audiologists that work in a variety of settings throughout Colorado. The key goals of CSHA are the advancement of education, advocacy, and member communication amongst SLPs and Audiologists. Membership in CSHA supports state level advocacy for our professions, CE events hosted in Colorado, communication to members on important issues, as well as volunteer and networking opportunities. CSHA's vision is "Making Colorado a place where all voices are heard." CSHA welcomes future professionals and speech-language pathology assistants. We hope you'll consider becoming a member. For more information go to the CSHA website.
Speech-Language Advisory Committee (SLAC)
SLAC Mission Statement: The Committee believes that speech-language pathologists and special educators in Colorado deserve innovative professional development opportunities that address issues, challenges, and evidence-base practices relevant to infants, toddlers, children, and adolescents with disabilities. The Committee provides advice on policies and procedures for best practices and in the alignment and standardization of services across the state. Committee members consist of regional representatives, hospital representatives, school administrators, university liaisons and various other stakeholder groups. Regional Representatives act as liaisons for their regional public school SLP constituents. They are nominated by their Special Education Director and chosen through an application process to serve in this capacity. Representatives from the Colorado Speech-Language-Hearing Association (CSHA), the university programs, and community liaisons were added to the Committee to ensure collaboration between significant stakeholders across the state.
- Mission of SLAC and Regional Representatives (PDF)
- Special Education Calendar - to see what’s happening in special education
Employment and Recruitment
*Please note this is not a comprehensive list and may not include all Pathologist and Pathology Assistant vacancies
- Email Holly Jackson if you have a school-based speech position (pathologist or pathology assistant) available.
- If you are retiring, retired or only interested in short-term, part-time work, add your name to the Retiring, Retired, Short-term, Part-time Work List (Google Form). Your information will only be shared with directors seeking to hire a speech-language pathologist which fits your criteria.
Career Tracks
School-based SLPs are Master’s degree educated experts in the areas of speech, language and communication. SLPAs have Bachelor’s degrees and have completed a certification program and clinical practicum hours.
There are a variety of pathways to becoming a school-based SLP in Colorado. Interested parties with a BA or BS in any field can complete an SLP Prerequisites (SLPP) program to get prepared for an SLP graduate program, or complete an SLPA certification program. If you have a Bachelor’s degree in communication disorders or a related field, you may be eligible to enroll directly into a Master’s degree program. See the links below for more information on these options.
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
- SLPA Certificate Program Contacts
- University of Northern Colorado - Email Kerry Young
- Colorado University at Boulder - Email Jen Marson-Parker
- Metropolitan State University - Email Ilana Oliff
- Technical Assistance: Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) (PDF)
- Practice Guidelines for Supervisors of SLPAs (PDF)
Speech-Language Conferences
Professional Learning Quick Links
- Speech-Language Conferences
- Face-To-Face Trainings
- Online Courses
- Journal Clubs
- CDE Professional Development - Access to all professional development opportunities offered through CDE
- Disability Listservs – Listservs provide information about that disability and upcoming trainings. Use the Disability Categories link on the right to join their listservs.
Face-To-Face Trainings
More information about in person trainings to come!
Online Courses
Learn more about following the Spring Speech-Language Online Courses:
- Strategies To Write Informational Text
- SLPA Supervision in Schools
- Social Communication and Engagement Triad (SCET)
- Auditory and Language Processing Disorders
Strategies to Write Informational Text
Strategies to Write Informational Text for Secondary Students is an 8-week self-paced course with 11 modules that provide resources to support the writing process. It follows the book by Jill Jackson, How to Teach Students to Write Informational Text. 15 CDE Contact Hours available.
Learn more about this opportunity on the Strategies to Write Informational Text CDE Professional Development Page.
Class Dates: February 13, 2023 through May 30, 2023
Registration for this course has closed.
SLPA Supervision in Colorado Schools
This is an online, self-paced course for any school-based speech-language pathologist who is new to supervising speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs) in Colorado schools or who needs a review. This is not intended for administrators who are evaluating SLPAs for performance review, although administrators are welcome to take the course if you want to learn more about the roles and responsibilities of speech-language pathology assistants and the speech-language pathologist supervising them. 10 CDE Contact Hours available.
Learn more about this opportunity on the SLPA Supervision in Schools CDE Professional Development Page.
Class Dates: Open year-round. Participants will have 6 months from their enrollment date to finish the course and download their certificate.
Registration is OPEN!!
Social Communication and Engagement Triad (Online Course)
The SCET Triad is a 6-week, self-paced online course with 6 modules to learn about the interconnectedness between communication and engagement. This course is intended for educators who support students with an autism spectrum disorder or other complex communication disorders. 7.5 CDE Contact Hours available.
Learn more about this opportunity on the SCET Triad Professional Development Page.
Class Dates: February 13, 202 through May 30, 2023
Registration for this course has closed.
Auditory and Language Processing Disorders (Online Course)
The SCET Triad is a 6-week, self-paced online course with 6 modules to learn about the interconnectedness between communication and engagement. This course is intended for educators who support students with an autism spectrum disorder or other complex communication disorders. 7.5 CDE Contact Hours available.
Learn more about this opportunity on the SCET Triad Professional Development Page.
Class Dates: February 13, 2023 through May 30, 2023
Registration for this course has closed.
Journal Club Courses include:
The Journal Club is an online course that uses articles about language and literacy to create the opportunity to read professional articles related to school-based issues, participate in online discussions to support the implementation of strategies, and complete a knowledge check assessment. Journal Club courses include:
- Multidimensional View of Reading Comprehension
- Analyzing Language Samples in Adolescents to Support Student Growth
- The Impact of Speech-Language on Literacy
- What SLPs Need to Know About Dyslexia
Class Dates: February 13, 2023 through May 30, 2023
Registration for this course has closed.
JC1 - Multidimensional View of Reading Comprehension.
These articles address the multidimensional aspect of reading, including the role of the SLP in assessment and intervention of reading comprehension. 7 CDE contact hours.
JC2 - Analyzing Language Samples in Adolescents to Support Student Growth
This journal club looks at articles on how early speech or language disorders may affect language and literacy outcomes during adolescence. It explores how spoken and written language samples can be useful in assessment and intervention. 4 CDE contact hours.
JC3 - The Impact of Speech-Language on Literacy
This journal club focuses on increasing your understanding of the impact language development has on reading and writing skills as literacy develops over time. 5 CDE contact hours.
JC4 - What SLPs Need to Know About Dyslexia
Aligning IEP goals with Colorado Academic Standards
Auditory Processing Deficits
CDE Technical Assistance (TA) Documents
- Speech-Language Pathologist Technical Assistance Document (PDF)
- Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant Technical Assistance Document (PDF)
- Consideration of Special Factors: Unique Communication Needs (PDF)
- Diagnoses in the Educational Identification of Disabilities in Accordance with IDEA 2004 (Medical v Education) (PDF)
Practice Guidelines for SLPA Supervisors
Assistive Technology Resources from Statewide Assistive Technology, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (SWAAAC)
- Visit University of Colorado SWAAAC Loan Library
- Visit University of Colorado Assistive Technology Assessment
CDE Links
- Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
- Special Education
Websites
Questions?
For more information about services for students who have speech or language impairments in Colorado, please contact:
Shani O'Brien, Speech-Language Specialist
Email Shani O'Brien
303-868-8351
Having trouble with this webpage?
If you have problems with broken links or accessing the content on this page, please contact the Exceptional Student Services Unit at ESSU@cde.state.co.us. Please copy the URL link for this page into the email when referencing the problem you are experiencing.
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Fax: 303-830-0793
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CDE Hours
Mon - Fri 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
See also Licensing Hours
UPDATED
May 22, 2023
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