Communication Disorders
Defined By an SLP
We are communicating ALL DAY LONG even when we aren't talking. We communicate with our body language, words, sounds, and even LACK of talking or listening is a form of communication! Below I will define each area of communication disorders and then give tips on how to help. So keep scrolling 🙂
Communication Disorders (areas):
Speech Disorders
Speech abilities refer to how we pronounce words. Speech disorders are very common, especially among young children. There are many different types of speech disorders.
See communication disorder: speech disorders for more information.
Language Disorders
Language abilities refer to how we understand information and express ourselves. Language disorders present differently from one person to another and can change over-time within one individual.
See communication disorders: language disorders for more information.
Reading and Writing Disorders
Speech & language disorders often impact reading and writing abilities. Reading and writing skills are built upon expressive and receptive language. For example, if a child has difficulty with oral grammar, that difficulty is often reflected in his or her writing.
Also, reading and writing are two very important areas of communication that affect academic learning.
Learn more at reading, writing, and language development.
Hearing
Our hearing is directly related to our speech and language development! If we are not hearing properly, our speech does not develop properly. Additionally, children who have hearing loss are often missing important language information.
If you have any concerns about yourself or your child, contact an audiologist.
Voice Disorders
Voice disorders are commonly caused by trauma to the vocal cords. Voice disorders may also be neurologically based (no physical trauma). Common symptoms of a voice disorder are hoarseness, breathiness, scratchy voice, pain, and/or loss of voice.
If you have any concerns, contact an ENT and a speech pathologist for an evaluation.
Processing Disorders
Processing disorders can be broken down even further into language processing disorders and auditory processing disorders.
Language Processing Disorders: People with a language processing disorder have trouble attaching meaning to the words that they hear. This can have a significant impact on all aspects of language learning.
Refer to the Language Disorder page for more information.
Central Auditory Processing Disorders (CAPD): This is a slightly controversial disorder which in my opinion is OVER DIAGNOSISED. A true auditory processing disorder is a deficit within the central nervous system. A person with CAPD can hear sounds (no hearing impairment) but his or her brain does not interpret the sounds correctly. An audiologist must diagnosis this disorder. If your child has CAPD, you CAN'T CURE IT! Instead, you will need to compensate for it.
Please refer to the Language Disorder page for how to accomplish this.
Communication Disorders: What Else Can I do?
Join our membership program which is filled with lots of functional games that you can play at home or weave into your daily activities.
With this small purchase, you will have access to new activities added daily that target all speech and language areas!
There is something for both professionals and parents!