Jordan Evans #10

Communication/Language Disorders
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Definition: a wide variety of problems in language, speech, and hearing. Speech and language
impairments include articulation problems, voice disorders, fluency problems, aphasia, and delays
in speech and/or language.
Types of Disorders
o Speech Disorders: An impairment of the articulation of speech sounds, fluency and/or
voice.
Articulation Disorder: The atypical production of speech of sounds characterized
by substitutions, omissions, additions or distortions that may interfere with
intelligibility.
Fluency Disorder: An interruption in the flow of speaking characterized by
atypical rate, rhythm, and repetitions in sounds, syllables, words, and phrases.
Voice Disorder: Characterized by the abnormal production and/or absences of
vocal quality, pitch, loudness, resonance, and/or duration, which is inappropriate
for an individuals age and/or sex
o Language Disorders: Impaired comprehension and/or use of spoken, written and/or other
symbol systems.
Form of Language (phonology, morphology, and syntax)
Content of Language (semantics)
Function of Language (pragmatics)
o Hearing Disorders: Impaired auditory sensitivity of the physical auditory system.
Deaf: A hearing disorder that limits an individuals aural/oral communication
performance to the extent that the primary sensory input for communication ma
be other than the auditory channel.
Hard of Hearing: A hearing disorder, which adversely affects an individuals
ability to communicate.
Characteristics
o Academic: The overall achievement of the student with a communication disorder may
be below average compared to the chronological age, mental age, or both.
Achievement in reading, spelling, writing, grammatical usage or math may be
below expectancy.
Word substitutions may occur in reading and in writing.
Has trouble learning new vocabulary words.
o Behavioral
With some speech disorders, excessive tension and secondary mannerisms may
occur.
Hesitation or refusal to participate in verbal activities.
Inattentiveness.
Has difficulty following directions.
May be embarrassed or disturbed by his/her speech.
Have difficulty interpreting emotions, attitudes and intentions that others use to
communication with.
May not establish or maintain eye contact.

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Uses gestures while talking or in place of speech.
Has a difficult time remembering and finding specific words to use during
conversation.
o Functional
Has a different dental structure than the normal.
Has oral muscular coordination slower than normal.
Displays clumsiness or general motor incoordination.
o Social
May not talk much or often, but understands what other people say.
Uses certain phrases repeatedly.
May struggle to make friends because of the lack of communication able.
May prefer to be alone and become shy.
Strengths
o The learning of sign language.
o Being more aware of your surroundings.
Strategies in Instructing a Student With a Communication Disorder
o Teachers can work with speech-language pathologists to learn the needs for the children
and how to accompany him/her.
o Augmentative and Alternative communication: A strategy that helps a child with a
communication disorder participate at home and school. The strategies are as easy as
pointing to a picture or allowing the child to use gestures and begin with some basic sign
language.
o Symbol communication boards: A child can press a button or picture on their device that
has a voice output to say what the child is trying to say.
o Using objects to allow the student to show what he/she wants and needs.
Classroom Accommodations
o Allowing the student to substitute oral assignments with written assignments.
o Allowing the student more time to talk (they may talk longer to speak).
o Allowing the student to use a voice communication board.
o Provide the student with the information that will be provided in class prior to class.
o Giving assignments orally and written.
o Allowing them to have study partners.
Methods for Communication with Parents
o Providing feedback on the students performance throughout the day.
o Providing one-on-one conferences with the parent whenever needed.
Outside Resources for Children & Parents
o http://childdevelopmentinfo.com
This website give you information on the disability, parenting tips, articles, and
much more to learn from.
o http://www.csld.org
The Center for Speech and Language Disorders is a nonprofit corporation with a
mission to help children with communication disorders.
They have two main locations: Lombard and Chicago.
o http://www.oafccd.com
Ontario Association for Families of Children with Communication Disorders
This association works with families and communities to ensure children have
access to effective speech and language services.
They provide parenting tips and help, hold summer camps, and many more
fundraisers and activities to help and increase public awareness for people with
communication disorders.
o May is Better Hearing and Speech Month

Jordan Evans #10