Communication pt1

Fundamentals of Communication Sciences and Disorders

Importance of Communication Disorders

• Statistics:

  • 42 million Americans (5-10%) have a communication disorder (ASHA, 2021).

  • Breakdown of Issues:

    • 7.5 million struggle with voice problems.

    • 3 million people stutter.

    • 6-8 million face language problems, with about 5% of first graders affected by speech disorders.

    • 37.5 million have hearing loss, with 47% untreated.

    • 1 in 5 Americans have hearing loss in at least one ear.

    • 26 million aged 20-69 have high-frequency hearing loss due to noise exposure.

  • Reflection: Consider listing communication disorders you are aware of.

Communication Process

• Definition: Sharing information between individuals; process involves sending and receiving messages.

• Ways to Communicate:

  • Speech, writing, Morse code, Braille, art, music, dance, gestures, facial expressions, vocal inflection, body language, clothes, hairstyles.

• Purposes of Communication:

  • Requesting, rejecting, and commenting on various subjects.

Stages of Communication

1. Formulation:

   • "Getting your thoughts together"; deciding what message to convey.

2. Transmission:

   • Sending the message through various modalities (e.g., speech, gestures).

3. Reception:

   • Receiving the message through visual or auditory means.

4. Comprehension:

   • Understanding the message determines how the receiver responds.

Communication Model

• Components:

  • Sender: Initiates the message.

  • Receiver: Accepts the message.

  • Formulation, Transmission, Modality, Reception, Comprehension are all integral parts.

  • Feedback System: Essential for active and dynamic communication.

Types of Feedback

1. Linguistic/Verbal Feedback:

   • Examples: "Mmm hmmm," "Huh?", "Cool," "Shut up!"

2. Non-Linguistic/Extra-Linguistic Feedback:

   • Examples: Nodding, eye contact, smiling. Can accompany or stand alone.

3. Paralinguistic Feedback:

   • Voice characteristics, including pitch changes and sarcasm.

Effective Communicators: Grice’s Maxims

• Four Components:

  • Quality: Be truthful.

  • Quantity: Provide the right amount of information.

  • Relevance: Stay on topic.

  • Manner: Avoid ambiguity and obscurity.

Language Definition and Structure

• Language (Nelson, 1998):

  • A socially shared code using a conventional system of arbitrary symbols that represents ideas significant to those who understand the code.

• Key Components:

  • Socially shared, coded, rule-governed, representational tool.

  • Cognitive Process: Involves formulation of thoughts and ideas; language is uniquely human despite other species communicating.

Three Domain Model of Language

1. Form:

   • Syntax: Word order (e.g., "The baby happy was smiling").

   • Morphology: Structure of words (e.g., verb tense formation).

   • Phonology: Speech sounds (e.g., segmenting phonemes).

2. Content:

   • Semantics: Meaning of words and phrases.

3. Use:

   • Pragmatics: Applying language appropriately in social contexts, including communicative functions and discourse.

   • Pragmatics is deemed the most critical domain of language.

Speech Production as a Neuromuscular Process

• Activation of three systems:

  • Respiration: Provides airflow.

  • Phonation: Produces voice.

  • Articulation: Shapes sounds using tongue and palate.

• Biological Functions:

  • Gas exchange, protection of airways, and food management related to swallowing.

Hearing as a Component of Communication

• Definition: Perception of sound, with acoustics being the study of sound.

• Sound Creation: Requires a source to vibrate air particles, leading to sound reception through the ear and comprehension by the brain.

Auditory Perception and Speech

• Distinction between speech perception (how humans process speech) and other non-speech sounds.

• The brain's ability to prioritize speech sounds enhances understanding despite rapid speech production.

Significant Difficulties in Communication

• Types of Disorders:

  • Formulating: Issues like stroke.

  • Transmitting: Problems such as those caused by cerebral palsy.

  • Receiving: Deafness issues.

  • Comprehending: Autism-related challenges.

• Must impact functionality in various environments (home, work, school).

Cultural Influence on Communication

• Culture includes shared values, beliefs, and customs across groups (racial, ethnic, gender).

• It profoundly impacts communication; various dialects exist in the US. Differences do not imply disorders.

• Important to assess communication skills in the cultural context to distinguish between a disorder and a difference.

Disorders in Different Domains

• Language Disorders: Childhood impairments, adult aphasia, reading disabilities (e.g., dyslexia).

• Speech Disorders: Articulation, phonological, fluency, voice, and motor speech disorders.

• Hearing Disorders: Sensorineural and conductive hearing losses, auditory processing disorders.

• Feeding and Swallowing Disorders: Pediatric issues related to premature birth and adult dysphagia following neurological incidents.

Career Paths in Communication Disorders

• Professionals:

  • Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), Audiologists, Speech Hearing Scientists.

• Statistics:

  • Over 185,000 certified SLPs in the US with a median salary of $77,510; noted as one of the fastest-growing careers.

• Education Requirements for SLP: Master’s degree, extensive graduate work and practicum, national exam, state licensure.

• Education Requirements for Audiologists: Clinical doctorate (AuD), supervised practicum, national exam, state licensure.

Conclusion on the Field of Communication Sciences and Disorders

• The field has various attractive qualities and presents numerous opportunities for impact and growth.