Introduction to the Disciplines of Communication Sciences and Disorders

Flashcards covering key concepts, terminology, and professional pathways in Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders (Gillam & Marquardt, 2021).

What are the three core components that connect the individual to society in Gillam & Marquardt’s framework?

Speech, Hearing, and Language.

What is communication?

The ability to convey messages (wants, desires, feelings, or information) using multiple modalities; language is a type of communication.

What is a modality in communication?

The tool or system used to convey a message (e.g., hand gesture, speech, writing).

Define a Communication Disorder.

An impairment that adversely affects communication.

What is a Communication Difference?

A communication ability that differs from those usually encountered in mainstream culture (e.g., accent or dialect); not a disorder.

Organic vs. Functional disorders

Organic disorders have a known physical cause; Functional disorders have no known organic cause.

Congenital vs. Acquired disorders

Congenital disorders are present at birth; acquired disorders occur after skills have developed (e.g., aphasia).

Five language domains

Phonology, Morphology, Syntax, Semantics, Pragmatics.

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) and prevalence

Significant impairment in acquisition and use of language across five domains; affects about 6–8% of American children.

Categories of Language Disorders

Developmental, Acquired, and Age-related.

Language Disorder vs Language Delay

Language Disorder is a persistent impairment; Language Delay is slower development that may progress to a disorder (about 75%).

Language disorders subtypes

Receptive, Expressive, or Mixed language disorders.

Speech Sound, Fluency, and Voice disorders

Speech Sound disorders: difficulties producing sounds; Fluency disorders: interruptions in speech flow; Voice disorders: phonation and resonance problems.

Aphasia

An acquired language disorder due to brain damage; affects grammar, word retrieval, comprehension; common after stroke; affects about 25–40% of stroke survivors.

Age-related language disorders

Language disorders associated with aging, notably dementia; Alzheimer’s is most common; Parkinson’s can contribute.

What is a hearing disorder?

A deficiency in detecting sounds.

Main types of hearing loss

Conductive, Sensorineural, and Mixed.

Conductive vs. Sensorineural vs. Mixed hearing loss

Conductive: reversible; outer/middle ear; Sensorineural: irreversible; inner ear/nerve; Mixed: combination.

Hearing loss severity levels

Slight, Mild, Moderate, Moderately Severe, Severe, Profound with increasing difficulty understanding speech.

Hearing loss prevalence statistics

Affects about 28 million Americans; 2% are born with HL; 11–12% of 6–19-year-olds; 50–64% of 20–59-year-olds.

Professional organizations in the field

ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) and the American Academy of Audiology.

Academic path to become an SLP

Master’s degree; 400 practicum hours; 25 observation hours; 375 clinical practicum hours; Certificate of Clinical Competence; one year of supervised work after graduation.

Scope of Practice for SLPs

Speech (voice, fluency, articulation); Language; Swallowing and feeding; Cognitive-communication disorders; settings include hospitals, schools, private practice, etc.

Licensure vs Certification

Licensure is state-regulated; requires Master’s degree and state exam with CE; Certification (e.g., ASHA CCC-SLP) is national credentialing; both may be required for practice.

ASHA Code of Ethics

Hold paramount the welfare of persons served; maintain the highest level of professional competence; promote public understanding of the professions; support services addressing public unmet needs.

SLP Assistants (SLPAs) and supervision

SLPAs are support personnel who work under licensed SLPs; cannot diagnose; must be supervised; Texas requires at least 8 hours of supervision per month, with at least 4 hours direct.

SLPA requirements

Associate degree (or BA/BS in CSD); 100 hours of supervised field work; pass ASHA Assistants Certification Exam; obtain state license; renewal every 3 years with CE.

SLPA duties and restrictions

Provide therapy and assist in assessment; can administer and score tests but cannot diagnose; follow the SLPA Scope of Practice and conduct codes.

History: term evolution to 'Speech-Language Pathologist'

In the 1920s, practitioners were called speech therapists; in 1976 the field adopted 'Speech-Language Pathologists' to reflect language disorders and the scope of practice.

Origins of aural rehabilitation

Centers established during World War II focused on studying, assessing, and treating hearing impairments, contributing to the development of audiology.

Numbers of professionals in the USA

Approximately 200,000 Speech-Language Pathologists; about 20,000–25,000 Audiologists.