Abstract
Normative data concerning speech sound acquisition are widely and heavily used in
the United States to determine eligibility for services. Normative studies differ
in the age and geographic location of participants, which can limit applicability
across the United States. In 2016, we queried school-based speech-language pathologists
(SLPs) in the United States using a web-based survey to determine which speech sound
norms are used. Nine regions from the U.S. census were represented. The Iowa–Nebraska
norms were most commonly reported. However, many SLPs were unable to name the source
of the data that they used. More than 60% of the sample indicated that they referred
to one source of normative data. Results of a logistic regression indicated that region
of the United States predicted if SLPs used one or multiple sources. Specifically,
SLPs in the West North Central region of the United States (which includes Iowa and
Nebraska) were more likely to use only one source of data, the Iowa–Nebraska norms.
We recommend that speech sound norms are less heavily relied upon for eligibility
decisions, particularly due to the substantial variations in culture and dialect throughout
the various regions of the United States.
Keywords
speech sound acquisition - speech sound disorders - eligibility - school-based practice
