History
Speech and language disabilities are often thought to have only become a commonly discussed and studied topic within the last century. In 1925 the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) was created which is thought by many to be where speech and language pathology got its start. However, there are examples of understanding speech and language impairment far earlier. Even as early as the early 1800s there were people providing training in elocution. By the late 1800s there were many who could be described as early speech therapists. Although they were not professionally trained, there was a large number of people offering speech and language services.
Significant Contributors
Important Rulings
When IDEA was amended in 2004 it included speech and language disorders. This marked the first time that speech and language disabilities were addressed in U.S. law. This law gave educational support to students with speech and language disabilities by addressing the fact that they have an educational disability just like the other disabilities covered by IDEA.
Terminology
The terminology surrounding speech and language disorders has remained fairly consistent over time. The term speech disability was used early in the 1900s. The term "speech handicap" was used at various times throughout the history of speech and language impairment but the term handicap has recently been replaced by most to be either disability or impairment. Even many of the scientific terms for specific speech and language impairments have been in use as early as the 1880 in Samuel Potter's book, Speech and its Defects. (2011)
Significant Contributors
- Andrew Comstock and Alexander Graham Bell- Two very prominent American elocutionists who helped to set the wheels in motion for scientific studies of speech and language disability.
- Samuel Potter- Author of the first American book on speech disorders in 1882. His book outlined various speech disorders and tactics to overcome them.
- Margaret Gray Blanton and Smiley Blanton- Published a book in 1920 addressed to parents and teachers encouraging them to promote good speech and how to treat students with various speech disabilities.
- Sara Stinchfield- The first person in America to receive a Ph.D. in speech pathology. She did so in 1928
- Lee Edward Travis- responsible for the founding of ASHA in 1925 (Duchan, 2011)
Important Rulings
When IDEA was amended in 2004 it included speech and language disorders. This marked the first time that speech and language disabilities were addressed in U.S. law. This law gave educational support to students with speech and language disabilities by addressing the fact that they have an educational disability just like the other disabilities covered by IDEA.
Terminology
The terminology surrounding speech and language disorders has remained fairly consistent over time. The term speech disability was used early in the 1900s. The term "speech handicap" was used at various times throughout the history of speech and language impairment but the term handicap has recently been replaced by most to be either disability or impairment. Even many of the scientific terms for specific speech and language impairments have been in use as early as the 1880 in Samuel Potter's book, Speech and its Defects. (2011)
References
Duchan, J.F. (2011). A History of Speech-Language Pathology. Retrieved from
http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~duchan/new_history/overview.html
Duchan, J.F. (2011). A History of Speech-Language Pathology. Retrieved from
http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~duchan/new_history/overview.html