Communication/
Speech
What are Communication/Speech Disabilities?
A communication disorder is an impairment in the ability to receive, send, process, and comprehend concepts or verbal, nonverbal and graphic symbol systems. A communication disorder may be evident in the processes of hearing, language, and/or speech. A communication disorder may range in severity from mild to profound. It may be developmental or acquired. Individuals may demonstrate one or any combination of communication disorders. A communication disorder may result in a primary disability or it may be secondary to other disabilities.
A speech disorder is a condition in which a person has problems creating or forming the speech sounds needed to communicate with others. This can make the child's speech difficult to understand. Common speech disorders include: articulation, phonological, disfluency, voice or resonance disorders. Speech disorders are different from language disorders in children.
Speech Disorders are classified as Communication Impairment.
Language disorders refer to someone having difficulty with: Getting their meaning or message across to others (expressive language), Understanding the message coming from others (receptive language). A language disorder is impaired comprehension and/or use of spoken, written and/or other symbol systems. The disorder may involve (1) the form of language (phonology, morphology, syntax), (2) the content of language (semantics), and/or (3) the function of language in communication (pragmatics) in any combination.
Language Disorders are classified as Communication Impairment.
A hearing disorder is the result of impaired auditory sensitivity of the physiological auditory system. A hearing disorder may limit the development, comprehension, production, and/or maintenance of speech and/or language. Hearing disorders are classified according to difficulties in detection, recognition, discrimination, comprehension, and perception of auditory information. Individuals with hearing impairment may be described as deaf or hard of hearing.
Hearing disorder is classified as Auditory Impairment.
Auditory Processing disorders are found on the Learning Disability page.