1. Verification Guidelines for Children with Disabilities
Technical Assistance Document
Nebraska Department of Education
Special Education Office
September 2008

2. Student Assistance Team Evaluation and Other Assessment Materials
Multidisciplinary Evaluation Teams and Reporting of Diagnostic Data (92-NAC )
Child Find
Student Assistance Team
Evaluation and Other Assessment Materials
Multidisciplinary Team Requirements
MDT Written Report
Children Who Do Not Qualify

3. Speech-Language Impairment
Introduction
Three Part Eligibility Requirement
Meet verification criteria (92 NAC L)
Documentation: Adverse Effect on Educational Performance
Determination: Need for Special Education Services

4. Speech-Language Impairment (cont’d)
Definition
The child must have a communication disorder such as stuttering, impaired articulation, language impairment or a voice impairment
The disorder must adversely affect the child’s educational performance, or for children below age five, their development.

5. Speech-Language Impairment (cont’d)
Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team Composition
Verification Criteria and Procedures (92NAC51-006)
Appropriate selection and use of assessment instruments and evaluation materials
Comprehensive in nature
Interpretation of evaluation data
Information from variety of sources
Information is documented and carefully considered

6. Speech-Language Impairment (cont’d)
Verification Guidelines (NDE T.A. Document)
Evaluation must demonstrate below average performance in language or articulation, or abnormal patterns in voice or fluency
Documentation must demonstrate:
A pattern of deficits
Having an adverse effect
Based on multiple data sources
Verification based on a pattern of performance below the average range and documenting significant adverse effect
Adverse effect: Specific considerations for factors indicating possible adverse effect in each subcategory of language, articulation, voice and fluency
Multiple Data Sources:
Standardarized and criterion-referenced assessments
Criterion-based speech-language sampling
Criterion-based communication measures
Direct Observation
Relevant Medical Data
Measurement of child’s intellectual ability
Information obtained from child, parent or others
Etc.

7. Speech-Language Impairment (cont’d)
Expanded Definitions of
Language
Articulation
Voice
Fluency

8. Speech-Language Impairment (cont’d)
Considerations Regarding Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Children
Consideration of both structure of language/dialect and cultural values affecting communication
Materials and procedures must ensure they measure extent to which the child has a disability, NOT to measure the child’s English language skills

9. Speech-Language Impairment (cont’d)
Language, Articulation, Voice and Fluency
Array of Assessment Information
Reference to an Assessment Continuum
Determination (documentation) of Adverse Effect
Assessment Information:
What methods, instruments and information must be included in evaluation?
Careful consideration must be given to selection
Assessment Continuum:
Descriptive continuum from typical development through disordered performance
Articulation: Use of Iowa-Nebraska Articulation Norms or other scientific, research-based norms
Determination of Adverse Effect:
Series of questions to guide documentation of adverse effects and child’s performance

10. Speech-Language Impairment (cont’d)
Verification Process, as guided by the NDE Technical Assistance Document
1. Implement Verification Criteria and Procedures (Rule 51)
2. Implement Verification Guidelines (NDE TA Document)
Use of array of assessment information
Reference to Assessment Continuum
Determination and documentation of Adverse Effect

11. Speech-Language Impairment (cont’d)
Related Definitions
Frequently Asked Questions
References and Resources

12. For Additional Information
Special Education Office Nebraska Department of Education Telephone: Web Address: