Communication disorders

Communication Disorders involve a wide variety of problems in speech, language, and hearing. For example, speech and language disorders include stuttering, aphasia, dysfluency, voice disorders (hoarseness, breathiness, or sudden breaks in loudness or pitch), cleft lip and/or palate, articulation problems, delays in speech and language, autism, and phonological disorders. Speech and language impairments and disorders can be attributed to environmental factors, of which the most commonly known are High Risk Register problems, which include drugs taken during pregnancy, common STD's such as syphilis, and birthing trauma to name a few. Communication disorders can also stem from other conditions such as learning disabilities, dyslexia, cerebral palsy, and mental retardation.

Communication disorders are a group of conditions involving problems with receiving, processing, sending, and comprehending various forms of information and communication, including:

• concepts

• verbal

• nonverbal

• graphic language

• speech

They can result from any condition that affects hearing, speech, and language to the extent that it can disrupt a person’s ability to communicate properly. A communication disorder can manifest early in a child’s development, or a medical condition can cause it to develop at an older age. It can be a stand-alone condition or co-occur with other communication and developmental disorders. The severity of communication disorders can range from mild to profound.

The ASHA classifies communication disorders into four groups:

Speech disorder

• Speech disorders affect a person’s ability to articulate speech sounds. These conditions can affect fluency, meaning the rate, rhythm, and flow of speech, or voice, meaning the pitch, volume, or length of speech.

Language disorder

• Language disorders impair a person’s ability to comprehend or use spoken, written, or other symbol systems.

What causes communication disorders?

Most communication disorders have an unknown cause, but they may be developmental or acquired. Possible causes include:

• exposure to toxins and substances while in the womb

• traumatic brain injuries or tumors in the brain area responsible for communication

• stroke and other neurological disorders

• structural impairments, such as cleft lip or cleft palate

• vocal cord injury due to misuse and abuse

• viral disease

These disorders may also be genetic. A 2015 case study found that some genetic variants may make specific individuals susceptible to communication disorders.

Speech disorder symptoms

Symptoms of speech disorders include:

• repeating words, vowels, or sounds

• difficulty making sounds, even when the person knows what they want to say

• elongating or stretching words

• adding, omitting, or substituting words or sounds

• jerky head movements or excessive blinking while talking

• frequently pausing while talking

Language disorder symptoms

Symptoms of language disorders include:

• overusing fillers such as “um” and “uh” because of the inability to recall words

• knowing and using fewer words than their peers

• trouble understanding concepts and ideas

• difficulty learning new words

• problems using words and forming sentences to explain or describe something

• saying words in the wrong order

• difficulty understanding instructions and answering questions

Hearing disorder symptoms

Symptoms of hearing disorders include:

• being behind their peers in terms of oral communication

• asking others to repeat what they said in a slower, clearer manner

• talking louder than is typical

• muffled speech and other sounds

• withdrawal from social settings and conversations

• difficulty understanding words, especially in noisy environments

CAPD disorder symptoms

Symptoms of CAPD include:

• difficulty localizing sounds

• difficulty understanding words that people say too fast or against a noisy background

• problems understanding and following rapid speech

• difficulty learning songs

• lack of musical and singing skills

• difficulty learning a new language

• problems paying attention

• getting easily distracted

Treatment

The treatment for communication disorders involves working with a speech-language pathologist. The specific approach will depend on the type and severity of the communication disorder. Therapy might take place in a one-on-one or group setting.

A speech-language pathologist will work with the rehabilitation team, including a physical and occupational therapist, to address other relevant skills before or in parallel with speech therapy sessions. Underlying causes, such as infections, will also require treatment.

Treatment often involves the entire family, other healthcare professionals, and teachers for a highly individualized approach.

Depending on the goal, a speech-language pathologist may remediate and promote skills or teach alternative forms of communication, such as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) or sign language.