Week 3 (In Depth)

Phonatory System (Voice Production)

Core Concept:

Voice is created when air from the lungs passes through the vocal folds, causing them to vibrate.

What are the four main structures of the Phonatory System?

• Larynx (voice box) → houses vocal folds

• Vocal folds (cords) → vibrate to produce sound

• Glottis → space between vocal folds

What is the Process of Phonation:

• Air flows from lungs

• Vocal folds come together

• Air pressure builds

• Vocal folds vibrate

• Sound is produced

This is called phonation

What is the difference between Pitch and Loudness

• Pitch → how fast vocal folds vibrate

• Loudness → how much air pressure is used

What is the Clinical Relevance

Voice disorders can involve:

1. Hoarseness

2. Loss of voice

3. Vocal Strain

Suggested Video:

Search: “vocal folds vibration slow motion larynx phonation”

How do airflow and vocal fold vibration work together to create voice?

What might happen if vocal folds do NOT fully close?

Tuesday: ASL- Conversational Skills + Nonmanual Signs

ASL meaning depends heavily on facial expressions and body language (nonmanual markers).

What are nonmanual signals in ASL?

• Eyebrows → questions

• Mouth → intensity or tone

• Head tilt → meaning changes

👉 These act like grammar markers

What are examples of questions and signals?

1. yes/no → raised eyebrows

2. WH- questions → lowered eyebrows

When you are taking turns what is important?

1. Visual attention

2. Use eye gaze to manage convo

Suggested Video:

Search: “ASL non manual signals explained”

Practice signing:

• Your name

• “How are you?”

• “I am good”

Why would ASL be incomplete without facial expressions?

Brain Lobes (Deeper + Language Connection) (WEDNESDAY)

What are the key lobes?

1. Frontal lobe

2. Temporal lobe

What is the frontal lobe and its functions?

• Speech production

• Motor planning

• Includes Broca’s area

What is the temporal lobe and its function?

• Hearing

• Language comprehension

• Includes Wernicke’s area

Broca’s vs Wernicke’s:

Area	Function	Damage Result
Broca’s	Speech production	Slow, effortful speech
Wernicke’s	Language understanding	Fluent but nonsensical speech

Why does this matter?

SLPs often work with:

• Stroke patients

• Brain injuries

Suggested Video:

Search: “Broca vs Wernicke aphasia explained”

Case Analysis:
A patient speaks fluently but makes no sense.

• Which area is likely damaged? Why?

Place of Articulation (Speech Sound Production)

Core Concept:

Speech sounds are shaped by where airflow is blocked or modified in the mouth.

Major Places of Articulation:

Place	Description	Examples
Bilabial	Lips	/p/, /b/, /m/
Alveolar	Tongue to ridge	/t/, /d/, /s/
Velar	Back of tongue	/k/, /g/

Why does it matter?

• Helps identify speech errors

• Used in diagnosis + therapy

What is a Clinical Example:

Child says “tat” for “cat”
👉 Moving from velar → alveolar (fronting)

Suggested Video:

Search: “place of articulation speech therapy animation”

Practice

Identify place:

• /p/ → __________

• /t/ → __________

• /k/ → __________

Why might children produce sounds in the front of the mouth first?

Fluency Disorders (Stuttering Basics) (Friday)

🧠 Core Concept:

Fluency = smooth, continuous flow of speech

What is Stuttering?

Disruptions in speech flow:

• Repetitions (b-b-ball)

• Prolongations (sssssnake)

• Blocks (no sound comes out)

Causes (Multifactorial):

• Neurological

• Genetic

• Environmental

Important Note

• Not caused by nervousness

• Can increase with pressure

Clinical Perspective

SLPs focus on:

• Reducing tension

• Improving communication confidence

Suggested Video:

Search: “stuttering types repetitions prolongations blocks examples”

✍ Practice

Identify type:

• “b-b-b-ball” → __________

• “sssssun” → __________

Why is it important not to rush someone who stutters?