A descriptive analysis of high school seniors with speech disabilities

Of over 26,000 high-school seniors for whom survey data from the recent High School and Beyond study were complete, 278 identified themselves as having speech disabilities. The data on these latter students were compared to those on their nonimpaired peers with regard to demographic variables and measures of achievement, personal characteristics, and relationship to school and work. These orally handicapped pupils tended to be older, more often from linguistic minority groups, and tended to present more additional handicapping conditions. The data also showed the impaired group at a disadvantage regarding achievement, self-image, motivation, and career aspirations. Some possibilities for ameliorating these conditions are suggested.