Definitions of Communication Disorders

communication disorder

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

speech disorder

is 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.

phonology

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

morphology

is the system that governs the structure of words and the construction of word forms.

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.

hearing disorder

is the result of impaired auditory sensitivity of the physiological auditory system.

Deaf

is defined as a hearing disorder that limits an individual’s aural/oral communication performance to the extent that the primary sensory input for communication may be other than the auditory channel.

Hard of hearing

is defined as a hearing disorder, whether fluctuating or permanent, which adversely affects an individual’s ability to communicate

Central auditory processing disorders

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 and 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