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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.