Communication Disorders and Disability Overview

Flashcards covering key terminology and definitions related to communication disorders and disabilities.

Communication

Intentional/unintentional behaviors that influence the ideas, thoughts, or behavior of another person.

Communication Disorder

Any communication structure or function that is diminished to a significant degree.

Organic Communication Disorder

A type of communication disorder with a physical cause.

Functional Communication Disorder

A type of communication disorder where a physical cause cannot be found.

Impairment

Loss of function or difference in structure that impedes communication.

Disability

The degree to which a person requires support to engage in daily activities.

Occupational Therapist

A professional who works on sensory/daily activities and fine motor skills.

Physical Therapist

A professional who focuses on gross motor skills. (Large muscles)

Speech-Language Pathologist

A professional who assesses and treats language disorders, speech disorders, and swallowing disorders.

Conductive Hearing Disorder

A hearing disorder caused by problems in the outer and middle ear that blocks sound from reaching the inner ear.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Hearing loss caused by damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve.

Mixed Hearing Loss

A combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD)

A condition where sounds enter the inner ear normally, but transmission through the auditory nerve to the brain is impaired.

Speech Disorders

Result from an interruption in the speech sound production process.

Fluency Disorders

Unusual interruptions in the flow of speaking.

Voice Disorders

Disorders that affect vocal quality or pitch.

Language Delay

Delayed language development not associated with a known etiology.

Developmental Language Disorders

Language disorders associated with conditions like ADHD, dyslexia, and autism spectrum disorder.

Acquired Language Disorder

Language disorders caused by brain damage.

Medical Model of Disability

Describes disability as a result of a particular health condition or disease.

Social Model of Disability

Suggests that disability arises from the inaccessibility of the environment, not solely from the impairment.

Stigmatization

A mark of shame or discredit that leads to unfair treatment.

Ableism

Discrimination against individuals with disabilities.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

A law to ensure individuals with disabilities have the same rights as everyone else in public life.

IEP (Individualized Education Program)

A legally binding document with goals and accommodations for students with disabilities.

504 Plan

An accommodation plan for students with disabilities that does not require specialized instruction.

Dysarthria

A motor speech disorder characterized by muscle weakness affecting speech production.

Apraxia

A motor speech disorder affecting the planning and coordination of speech movements.

Cerebral Palsy

A group of disorders affecting movement and muscle tone, often due to brain damage during birth.

Phonological Disorder

A linguistic difficulty where a child struggles with the sound system and rules of speech.