chapter 10: communication disorders

expressive language

skills that help an individual communicate a message to another

receptive language

skills that help the receiver of a message to both receive and understand the message that is sent

speech

the physical production of sounds that take the form of words and is one means of expressing language

language

a symbolic, rule-based system that gives meaning to the things we speak, write, read, and understand

phonology

the system of speech sounds that an individual utters

morphology

the form and internal structure of words

syntax

the rules governing sentence structure, the way sequences of words are combined into phrases and sentences

grammar

a combination of syntax and morphology

semantics

the understanding of language, the component most directly concerned with meaning

pragmatics

a component of language that represents the rules that govern the reason(s) for communicating

delayed speech

a deficit in speaking proficiency whereby the individual speaks like someone much younger

expressive language disorders

serious difficulties in producing language

receptive language disorders

serious difficulties in comprehending what others say

mixed receptive and expressive language disorders

serious difficulties in comprehending and using the rules related to combining elements of words

aphasia

an acquired language disorder characterized by complete or partial impairment of language comprehension, formulation, and use

developmental aphasia

a term that has been used widely for children; when children struggle to acquire and use words to express their needs and wants to others; these children are also referred to as having an expressive language disorder

individualized language plan (ILP)

a service and instructional plan developed by the multidisciplinary team (including parents) when a student is identified as having a language disorder

augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)

an area of practice intended to either augment an individual’s existing speech and language or to serve an alternative to speech

functional articulation disorders

articulation problems that are likely the result of environmental or psychological influences

cleft palate

a gap in the soft palate and roof of the mouth, sometimes extending through the upper lip

occlusion

the closing and fitting together of dental structures

malocclusion

an abnormal fit between the upper and lower dental structures

child onset fluency disorder (stuttering)

when the flow of speech is abnormally interrupted by repetitions, blocking, or prolongation of sounds, syllables, words, or phrases

cluttering

a speech disorder characterized by excessively rapid, disorganized speaking, often including words or phrases unrelated to the topic

social (pragmatic) communication disorder (SCD)

sustained difficulties in using verbal and nonverbal communication, as related to the social purposes of communicating with others

voice and resonance disorders

a condition in which an individual habitually speaks with a voice that differs in pitch, loudness, or quality from the voices of his or her peer group

hypernasality

a resonance disorder that occurs when excessive air passes through the nasal cavitiy

hyponasality

a resonance disorder whereby too little air passes through the nasal cavity; also known as denasality