What are speech and language disorders?

What are speech and language disorders?

They're difficulties understanding or expressing thoughts.

Here are 2 important facts about speech and language disorders:

1. They can make communication difficult. Disorders vary in severity, from slight stuttering to a complete inability to communicate. A person can have 1 disorder or several.
2. They're common. Millions of Americans are affected by speech and language disorders. These disorders can affect anyone at any age.

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Why be concerned about them?

Because communication is necessary for a normal, happy life. When problems develop, they can affect:

• Learning. Learning can be hard for people with speech and language disorders. Performance at school and on the job may suffer.
• Relationships Trouble communicating thoughts can lead to trouble relating to others. Isolation and depression may result.
• Independence Job opportunities are limited for people who can't communicate effectively. They may have trouble leading independent, satisfying lives.
• Well-being Emotional problems may develop as a result of embarrassment, rejection or poor self-image.

Learn more....

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Communication is a complicated process

Normal communication involves:

1. Hearing The ear takes in sounds, changes them to electrical impulses and sends the impulses to the brain.
2. Interpreting The brain makes sense of impulses, and prepares a response. Information is stored and organized for future recall.
3. Speaking Producing understandable speech takes a team effort by many body parts, including the lungs, vocal cords, tongue, jaw and lips.

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Disorders can make communication harder

They may result from:

• Physical Problems such as cleft lip or palate, trouble controllng the movement of the tongue, injury to the head or spine or poor hearing.
• Health Problems such as childhood diseases (scarlet fever, chickenpox, mumps, etc.), stroke, cancer of the larynx, cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis.
• Learning Problems that may be caused by short memory span, lack of good speech models or inability to process information.
• Other Problems such as mental retardation, low self-esteem or other emotional disturbances.

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Some speech and language disorders

Stuttering

means getting stuck on a sound or syllable so the flow of speech is interrupted.

Causes

A variety of factors may be involved, including learning problems, emotional difficulties, biological defects and problems in the nervous system.

Poor Voice Control

involves speaking with abnormal pitch, tone or volume

Causes

They may include:

• strain on the vocal cords (for example, from yelling or clearing the throat too much)
• hearing loss
• inflammation or growths involving the vocal cords
• emotional problems

Articulation Disorders

involve problems in making correct speech sounds.

Causes

Articulation disorders may be due to faulty language skills (for example, not learning particular speech sounds). Or, they may be due to physical problems such as hearing loss, cleft palate, paralysis or muscle weakness.

Aphasia

is the loss of the ability to use or understand words. Aphasia may affect certain language functions but not others. For example, the person may understand what is said but be unable to express ideas.

Causes

Aphasia is caused by brain damage usually from a stroke.

Learning Disabilities

can include special difficulty in understanding what's heard, problems with expressing abstract ideas and slowness in developing normal language skills.

Causes

When the language centers of the brain don't work properly, learning disabilities develop.

Other disorders include:

Dysarthria which refers to a group of speech problems caused by damage to the nervous system. This affects muscles used in forming speech sounds. The speech of people with dysarthria may be:

• slurred
• harsh
• extrememly slow
• almost inaudible
• characterized by odd rhythms or inappropriate stresses

Loss of Voice due to surgery. When a cancerous larynx is removed, a person can no longer speak in a normal manner. In some cases, a mechanical voice aid can help the person communicate.

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Early warning signs of speech and language disorders

Slow development

For example, there may be a problem if:

• by age1, an infant doesn't cry, babble or pay attention to other voices
• by age 2, a child can't put some words together in speech
• by age 3, a child's speech is difficult for those outside the family to understand
• by age 4, a child doesn't have a growing vocabulary, speak in short sentences and make most sounds - or a child points to things instead of talking
• by age 5, a child can't carry on a simple conversation, stutters or sounds much different from playmates

Speech problems

Pay special attention if a child:

• is difficult to understand
• uses and pronounces words incorrectly
• consistently uses incorrect grammar
• can't seem to hear or understand others well
• speaks too loudly
• begins to develop a hesitating speech pattern
• doesn't speak

Learning Disabilities

A child who's an extremely slow learner or poor reader may have a speech or language disorder.

Behavioral Problems

There's reason for concern if a child:

• is reluctant to talk
• is very self-conscious when speaking
• becomes defensive, nervous, or withdrawn when speaking

Early treatment is the key to preventing a speech or language disorder from turning into a lifelong disability. If you suspect a problem, get professional help right away.

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Know where to go for help and information

First contact a speech-language pathologist. This is a specialist in speech and language disorders. For a referral, check with:

• a community speech and hearing clinic
• your local health department
• a hospital or university
• your health-care provider

Get more information about speech and language disorders

Contact:

American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA)

Consumer Division

10801 Rockville, MD 20852

1-301-897-5700

Council for Exceptional Children

1920 Association Drive

Reston, VA 22091

1-703-620-3660

For a list of certified speech-language pathologists in your area, call ASHA's Information Resource Center at: 1-800-638-8255.

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The Speech-Language Pathologist

can provide many services. These include:

Therapy

The speech-language pathologist decides on appropriate treatment and helps the patient and family understand the problem.

Evaluation and Diagnosis

The speech-language pathologist can determine the extent of the disorder and a probable cause by:

• gathering background information
• making observations
• testing

Information and Support

Educating patients and their families is important. The speech-language pathologist will:

• explain the disorder and the problems it may create
• talk about treatment options
• discuss what progress the patient should be able to make
• suggest ways the patient can cope with speech or language problems

Referrals

The speech-language pathologist may recommend the help of tother specialists, including:

• otolaryngologists (for treating ear, nose, and throat disorders)
• neurologists (for diagnosing and treating disorders of teh nervous system)
• audiologists (for treatment of hearing problems)
• psychiatrists, psychologists or counselors (for help dealing with emotional problems)

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Treatment comes in many forms

Options include:

Therapy

Specialists use various methods to improve clients' speech and language skills. Specialists also help clients learn to communicate with their families. Children who can't speak may be taught sign language or the use of communication boards.

Special equipment

Devices such as hearing aids and artificial voice aids may help many people communicate.

Surgery

In many cases, surgery can correct structural problems such as cleft palate, misaligned teeth or punctured eardrums.

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Schools often play a crucial role

They may provide:

Screening programs that identify young students who have disorders

Special programs that allow children to remain in regular classes while seeing a speech-language pathologist several times a week.

Individual tutoring in language skills related to reading, spelling and writing.

Special classes to help children develop basic language skills, build vocabulary, etc.

Many of these programs are required by law.

Find out which programs are offered by your local schools.

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What you can do

to help prevent speech and language disorder - and communicate more effectively with someone who has one.

Help your child develop good communication skills

It's important to:

• Talk a lot with your child
• Speak clearly so that your child can understand. Keep words and sentence length at your child's level
• Listen when your child talks
• Read to your child every day

Keep the lines of communication open

Try to:

• Be patient and sympathetic - the person may speak slowly or be hard to understand
• Don't interrupt or try to finish the person's sentences.
• If the person has trouble understanding spoken language, speak slowly and clearly, using simple words. Don't be afraid to use gestures to get your meaning across.
• Make sure the environment is quiet enough for talking - and try to limit distractions.
• Let the person know when you don't understand what he or she is saying.
• Don't talk "down" to the person. Speak to him or her as you would speak to anyone of the same age.

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People with speech and language disorders can lead happy, productive lives

• Develop good communication skills at home
• Be alert for warning signs or disorders
• Consult a professional if problems occur

Prompt attention can help you or someone you love.

Fact Sheet