Speech and language disability
Encyclopedia
A speech and language disability is a deficiency in either expressive or receptive processing of language.
is characterized by difficulty in articulation of words. Examples include stuttering or problems producing particular sounds (e.g. "th").
(syntax
and/or morphology
), semantics
(meaning), or other aspects of language.
Speech and language disabilities can be one of the earliest types of disabilites to identify. This is because some of the symptoms are noted because of a lack of social integration, failure to reach developmental hallmarks and the palpable lack of expression in young children. However, if an educator is not trained or informed of the characteristics, the disability can be unnoticed for years. This can cause regression in essential verbal expression skills and lead to low academic achievement.
sounds and then changing the context, noting the difference. School districts in the United States often have speech and language pathologists within a special education staff to work with students. Additionally, school districts can place students with speech and language disabilities in a resource room
for individualized instruction. A combination of early intervention and individualized support has shown promise increasing long-term academic achievement with students with this disability.
Speech
A speech disabilitySpeech disorder
Speech disorders or speech impediments are a type of communication disorders where 'normal' speech is disrupted. This can mean stuttering, lisps, etc. Someone who is unable to speak due to a speech disorder is considered mute.-Classification:...
is characterized by difficulty in articulation of words. Examples include stuttering or problems producing particular sounds (e.g. "th").
Language
A language disability is a specific impairment in understanding and sharing thoughts and ideas, i.e. a disorder that involves the processing of linguistic information. Problems that may be experienced can involve grammarGrammar
In linguistics, grammar is the set of structural rules that govern the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in any given natural language. The term refers also to the study of such rules, and this field includes morphology, syntax, and phonology, often complemented by phonetics, semantics,...
(syntax
Syntax
In linguistics, syntax is the study of the principles and rules for constructing phrases and sentences in natural languages....
and/or morphology
Morphology (linguistics)
In linguistics, morphology is the identification, analysis and description, in a language, of the structure of morphemes and other linguistic units, such as words, affixes, parts of speech, intonation/stress, or implied context...
), semantics
Semantics
Semantics is the study of meaning. It focuses on the relation between signifiers, such as words, phrases, signs and symbols, and what they stand for, their denotata....
(meaning), or other aspects of language.
General characteristics
An individual can have one or both disorders. They are identified by a speech and language pathologist, who administers tests such as the CELF (Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals).Speech and language disabilities can be one of the earliest types of disabilites to identify. This is because some of the symptoms are noted because of a lack of social integration, failure to reach developmental hallmarks and the palpable lack of expression in young children. However, if an educator is not trained or informed of the characteristics, the disability can be unnoticed for years. This can cause regression in essential verbal expression skills and lead to low academic achievement.
Therapy
Like all types of disabilities, there is no cure for a speech and language impairement, but there are effective therapies. Students identified with a speech and language disability often qualify for an Individualized Education Plan as well as particular services. These include one-on-one services with a speech and language pathologist. Examples used in a session include reading vocabulary words, identifying particular vowelVowel
In phonetics, a vowel is a sound in spoken language, such as English ah! or oh! , pronounced with an open vocal tract so that there is no build-up of air pressure at any point above the glottis. This contrasts with consonants, such as English sh! , where there is a constriction or closure at some...
sounds and then changing the context, noting the difference. School districts in the United States often have speech and language pathologists within a special education staff to work with students. Additionally, school districts can place students with speech and language disabilities in a resource room
Resource room
A resource room is a separate special education classroom in a regular school where some students with educational disabilities, such as specific learning disabilities, receive direct, specialized instruction and academic remediation and assistance with homework and related assignments as...
for individualized instruction. A combination of early intervention and individualized support has shown promise increasing long-term academic achievement with students with this disability.
See also
- AphasiaAphasiaAphasia is an impairment of language ability. This class of language disorder ranges from having difficulty remembering words to being completely unable to speak, read, or write....
- Auditory Processing DisorderAuditory processing disorderAuditory Processing Disorder , also known as Central Auditory Processing Disorder is an umbrella term for a variety of disorders that affect the way the brain processes auditory information. It is not a peripheral hearing disorder as individuals with APD usually have normal peripheral hearing...
- Broca's areaBroca's areaBroca's area is a region of the hominid brain with functions linked to speech production.The production of language has been linked to the Broca’s area since Pierre Paul Broca reported impairments in two patients. They had lost the ability to speak after injury to the posterior inferior frontal...
- Communication disorderCommunication disorderA communication disorder is a speech and language disorder which refers to problems in communication and in related areas such as oral motor function. The delays and disorders can range from simple sound substitution to the inability to understand or use language...
- DyslexiaDyslexiaDyslexia is a very broad term defining a learning disability that impairs a person's fluency or comprehension accuracy in being able to read, and which can manifest itself as a difficulty with phonological awareness, phonological decoding, orthographic coding, auditory short-term memory, or rapid...
- Semantic pragmatic disorderSemantic Pragmatic DisorderPragmatic language impairment is an impairment in understanding pragmatic areas of language. This type of impairment was previously called semantic-pragmatic disorder . Pragmatic language impairments are related to autism and Asperger syndrome, but also could be related to other non autistic...
- Specific language impairmentSpecific language impairmentSpecific language impairment is diagnosed when a child's language does not develop normally and the difficulties cannot be accounted for by generally slow development , physical abnormality of the speech apparatus, autistic disorder, acquired brain damage or hearing loss.-Overview:Specific...
- Speech and language assessment
- Speech and language pathology in school settings
- Speech repetitionSpeech repetitionthumb|250px|right|[[Children]] copy with their own [[mouth]]s the words spoken by the mouths of those around them. This enables them to learn the [[pronunciation]] of words not already in their [[vocabulary]]....