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.

  • Language has 5 components:

    1. phonology is the sound system of a language and the rules that govern sound combinations (ASHA, 1993).

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

    2. 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.

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

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

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

Speech is the physical ability to articulate language.

  • Speech consists of integrated systems:

    1. Respiration the breathing that supports speech

    2. Voicing - letter the sound powered by the vocal folds and chords

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

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

Definitions of Communication Disorders

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.

types of communication disorders:

  1. 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.

  2. language disorder

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

    • The disorder may involve

      • (1) the form of language (phonology, morphology, syntax),

      • (2) the content of language (semantics)

      • (3) the function of language in communication (pragmatics) in any combination.

  3. Central auditory processing disorders (CAPD)

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

    • limitations in the ongoing transmission, analysis, organization, transformation, elaboration, storage, retrieval, and use of information contained in audible signals.

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

HISTORY OF COMMUNICATION DISORDERS

1910-1950s - speech correctionists

1970s - speech therapist

Current - speech-language patrologist

Characteristics of Students with Communication Disorders

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

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

  3. voice disorder is characterized by abnormal production or absence of vocal quality, pitch, loudness, resonance, and/or duration that is inappropriate for an individual’s age and/or sex. For example, students with voice disorders may have a hoarse voice, speak in a high pitch, speak with no changes in pitch, or speak excessively loudly or softly

  4. Form of Language difficulty with phonology or the sound system of a language and the rules that govern the sound combinations.

  5. Content of Language difficulty with semantics or the system that governs the meanings of words and sentences.

  6. Function of Language difficulty with pragmatics or the system that combines form of language and content of language into functional and socially appropriate communication.

EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL DISTURBANCE

Hyperactivity (short attention span, impulsiveness)

Aggression or self-injurious behavior (acting out, fighting)

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

Immaturity (inappropriate crying, temper tantrums, poor coping skills)

Learning difficulties (academically performing below grade level)