Students with Communication Disorders

Communication

is the expression of thoughts, including ideas, feelings, and opinions, between two or more people using language and speech.

Language

is a rule-governed system of symbols that people use to communicate.

Phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics

5 components of language

phonology

is the sound system of a language and the rules that govern sound combinations

phoneme

- The smallest unit of speech that distinguishes one word from another.

Morphology

is the system that governs the structure of words and the construction of word forms (ASHA, 1993).

morpheme

- is the smallest meaningful unit in the grammar of a language.

syntax

is the system governing the order and combination of words to form sentences, and the relationships among the elements within a sentence.

semantics

is the system that governs the meanings of words and sentences.

pragmatics

is the system that combines the above language components in functional and socially appropriate communication

Speech

is the physical ability to articulate language.

Respiration

the breathing that supports speech

Voicing

- letter the sound powered by the vocal folds and chords

Resonance

- the means by which sound is changed as it travels through the cavities of the neck and head

Articulation

- the formulation of speech sounds by the lips, tongue, and other structures

Speech or language impairment

a communication disorder, such as stuttering, impaired articulation, a language impairment, or a voice impairment, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance

communication disorder

is an impairment in the ability to receive, send, process, and comprehend concepts or verbal, nonverbal and graphic symbol systems.

speech disorder

an impairment of the articulation of speech sounds, fluency and/or voice.

articulation disorder

is the atypical production of speech sounds characterized by substitutions, omissions, additions or distortions that may interfere with intelligibility.

fluency disorder

is an interruption in the flow of speaking characterized by atypical rate, rhythm, and repetitions in sounds, syllables, words, and phrases.

voice disorder

is characterized by the abnormal production and/or absences of vocal quality, pitch, loudness, resonance, and/or duration, which is inappropriate for an individual’s age and/or sex.

language disorder

is impaired comprehension and/or use of spoken, written and/or other symbol systems.

Central auditory processing disorders (CAPD)

• are deficits in the information processing of audible signals not attributed to impaired peripheral hearing sensitivity or intellectual impairment.

Communication difference/dialect

is a variation of a symbol system used by a group of individuals that reflects and is determined by shared regional, social, or cultural/ethnic factors.

Augmentative/alternative communication systems

attempt to compensate and facilitate, temporarily or permanently, for the impairment and disability patterns of individuals with severe expressive and/ or language comprehension disorders

Hyperactivity

(short attention span, impulsiveness)

Aggression

or self-injurious behavior (acting out, fighting)

Withdrawal

(not interacting socially with others, excessive fear or anxiety)

Learning difficulties

(academically performing below grade level)