Speech and Language disorders

Fact sheet
Federal definition
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
Types of communication impairments
A speech disorder is an impairment of the articulation of speech sounds, fluency and/or
voice.
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, and syntax), (2) the content of language (semantics), and/or (3) the function
of language in communication (pragmatics) in any combination.
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.
Central auditory processing disorders are deficits in the information processing of audible
signals not attributed to impaired peripheral hearing sensitivity or intellectual
impairment. This information processing involves perceptual, cognitive, and linguistic
functions that, with appropriate interaction, result in effective receptive communication
of auditory presented stimuli.
Each type of impairment falls under 1 of 3 classifications
Receptive language issues- involve difficulty understanding what others are saying.
Expressive language issues- involve difficulty expressing thoughts and ideas.
Mixed receptive/expressive language issues-involve difficulty understanding and using
spoken language
What is the cause?
The language possessing part of our brain is in the left hemisphere in two different areas
Wernicke's area helps with understanding audio
Broddmans area helps to communicate speech

Why are some people affected and some people not?

There is not a clear reason as to why some people are born with communication
disorders, there is a strong theory that hereditary is the reason for between 20-40% of
cases of language disorders.
In some cases injury or illness have caused communication disorders, mostly hearing
related unless it effects the brain.
How many people suffer from a SLD?
It is estimated that between 6 and 8 million individuals in the United States have some
form of language impairment.
5% of school aged children have some sort of Language impairment.
Of the 6.1 million children with disabilities who receive special education in public
schools, more than1.1 million are in the category of language impairment.
Commonly used communication aids
Hearing aid
Cochlear Implant (not the same as a hearing aid)
White boards
Certain milestones to watch for
Birth to 3 Months
Reacts to loud sounds
Calms down or smiles when spoken to
4 to 6 Months
Follows sounds with his or her eyes
Responds to changes in the tone of your voice
Responds to music
7 month to a year
Understands words for common items such as cup, shoe, or juice
Know a few words like yes, no, hi
You want to be aware of their development until at least 5 or 6, by then most
diagnosis are determent

Sources:
http://www.asha.org/policy/RP1993-00208/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/communication-disorders
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/pages/speechandlanguage.aspx