Language Disorders

Communication

Sharing information between two or more people.

Language

Symbolic communication; spoken, written, or signed words.

Acquired language disorder

A language disorder that develops sometime after birth.

Developmental language disorder

A language disorder present since birth.

Preintentional communication

Actions treated as communication without purposeful intent, typically seen in infants 0 to 7 months.

Pre-symbolic intentional communication

Purposeful communication without language, including gestures and vocalizations, occurring at around 7 months.

Symbolic intentional communication

Purposeful communication using language, including words, alongside pre-symbolic forms, occurring around 12 months.

Comprehension

The understanding of language, also known as receptive language.

Production

The expression of language, also known as expressive language.

Syntax

The organization of words in sentences.

Morphology

The study of the smallest units of meaning in language.

Phonology

The sound structure of syllables and words; the study of phonemes.

Semantics

The meaning of words and the mental vocabulary used in language.

Pragmatics

The function or purpose of communication in social contexts.

Screening

A task to determine the need for a full evaluation, not a diagnostic tool.

Norm-referenced tests

Tests that compare a person's performance against that of a same-age peer.

Criterion-referenced tests

Tests that determine the level of achievement in a specific area, not based on peer comparison.

Dynamic assessment

An evaluation that looks at a person's potential and what support is needed to achieve higher performance.

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

Integrating client perspectives, clinical expertise, and external evidence for decision-making.

PICO Question

A structured question to guide research: Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome.

Goal setting

Establishing measurable and observable objectives for intervention.

Fidelity

The degree to which an intervention is implemented as designed.

Intervention

A systematic plan of action to improve communicative abilities.

Three phases of intervention planning

1. Setting long-term client-centered goals, 2) Setting short-term goals leading to long-term outcomes, 3) Session-level goals written in measurable terms.

Generalization

The application of learned skills in various contexts and situations.

Maintenance

Using a skill after instruction has stopped.

Nonverbal communication

The transmission of messages or information without the use of words, including gestures, facial expressions, and body language.

Communication breakdown

A failure in communication that can occur due to misunderstanding or misinterpretation of messages.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Communication methods that supplement or replace speech or writing for individuals with complex communication needs.

Cultural competence

The ability to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with people across cultures.

Expressive language

The ability to convey thoughts, feelings, or ideas through spoken, written, or sign language.

Receptive language

The ability to understand and process language received through hearing or reading.

Language Milestones

Developmental benchmarks used to gauge a child's language development, such as first words and sentence formation.

Social communication

The use of language in social contexts, including pragmatics and understanding social cues.

Assistive technology

Devices or software designed to assist individuals with disabilities in performing tasks more easily.

Speech-language pathology

A field focused on the evaluation and treatment of speech, language, communication, and swallowing disorders.

Fidelity monitoring

Continuous assessment of whether an intervention is implemented according to its design.

Naturalistic intervention

An approach that focuses on teaching communication skills in the context of natural settings and daily routines.

Parent-child interaction therapy

A therapeutic intervention aimed at improving communication and interaction between parents and their children.

Universal design for learning (UDL)

An educational framework that provides multiple means of engagement, representation, and action for all learners.

Peer-mediated intervention

A strategy that involves using peers to support the social and communication skills of children with language disorders.

Language sample analysis

A method of evaluating language use by analyzing spoken or written samples of a person's communication.

Telepractice

The use of technology to provide speech and language services remotely.

Multicultural considerations in assessment

The need to take cultural and linguistic diversity into account during evaluation and intervention processes.

Intervention dosage

The amount and frequency of intervention sessions