Week 4 Language and Speech-Language Pathology Notes

Week 4 Focus and Schedule

• Finish week-4 lecture; small activity on Wednesday.
• Week 5: start anatomy and physiology; Monday Sept 20.
• Check attendance/test logistics for the Monday session.

Language Development Concepts

• Language has receptive (understanding) and expressive (producing) components.
• Language form includes morphology and syntax; track utterance length.
• Phonology and phonotactic rules influence sound structure and allowable sequences in a language.
• Prosody: pitch and vocal fold vibration contribute to meaning and emphasis.
• Pragmatics: social use of language.
• Neurotypical development: comprehension typically precedes production.

Speech Disorders and Classification

• Major categories: articulation disorders, phonological disorders, dysarthria, apraxia of speech.
• Etiologies: organic/neuromotor/neurological; may follow stroke or brain injury.
• Common signs: hesitations, repetitions of sounds/words; increased tension; anxiety.
• Examples: cleft palate (organic/structural).

Assessment and Observation Principles

• Record sessions to analyze language form and usage.
• Assess both receptive and expressive language; note utterance length.
• Consider phonology and phonotactics when evaluating speech.
• Developmental baseline: understand normal progression to identify delays

Social and Dementia Considerations

• Language ability is influenced by social interaction; maintaining a social routine supports language.
• Research links social activity with preservation of language skills in aging and dementia.

SLP Scope: Feeding and Swallowing

• Part of scope: feeding and swallowing alongside communication disorders.
• Multidisciplinary implications for assessment and intervention.

Quick Reference

• Key terms to know:
  • Content (semantics)
  • Syntax (grammar/form)
  • Phonology (sound system)
  • Pragmatics (language use in context)