Communication Disorders

What is a Speech/Language Disorder?

Listed below are different types of Communication Disorders, along with a brief description. If you have concerns regarding your child's speech or language skills, contact the speech language pathologist at your school. Your child's classroom teacher can be of assistance in contacting the appropriate personnel as well.

ARTICULATION / PHONOLOGY

The student may omit, substitute, or distort particular speech sounds. Others may have trouble understanding your child. If your child is spelling, they may write the words as they say them (example: may write "red" as "wed").

LANGUAGE

The student may have difficulty with following directions and listening skills. They may have trouble comprehending what others are saying. Others may have trouble understanding the student due to poor grammar or vocabulary skills. They may have trouble finding the language to express their ideas.

FLUENCY

The student may stutter, repeat parts of words or whole words, prolong words, or "get stuck" on a word and have difficulty getting it out. This can be very disconcerting to both the child and the listener. It is important not to rush the child or speak in a rapid manner yourself. Be a good model for speaking!

VOICE

The student may be hoarse, breathy, and/or nasal. A common disorder is vocal abuse (the child uses a loud speaking voice or frequently yells/screams often resulting in a hoarse, low pitch or frequent loss of voice-they often get worse as the day progresses). If left untreated a child exhibiting vocally abusive behaviors can do permanent damage to his/her vocal cords (folds).

PRAGMATICS

The student may have difficulty using social communication skills appropriately, such as poor eye contact, staying on topic and conversational turn taking,