Communication disorders affect how a person comprehends, produces, or interprets spoken, written, or nonverbal communication. They can vary from minor articulation issues to more complex difficulties with language understanding or expression. These challenges may be present from early development or occur later due to injury or medical conditions, and commonly include speech, language, social communication, and hearing disorders.
Speech refers to how we produce sounds and words. It includes how clearly, we say sounds, how smoothly we speak, and how our voice sounds.
People with speech difficulties may:
- have difficulty saying sounds clearly
- repeat sounds, stretch sounds, or pause when speaking (this is called stuttering)
Language is how we use words to share ideas and get what we want.
A person with a language disorder may have problems:
- understanding
- talking
- reading
- writing
Speech and language disorders encompass a range of difficulties with communication, affecting both the production and understanding of speech and language.
These disorders can manifest in various ways, impacting articulation, fluency, and the ability to use language effectively.
Types of Speech Disorders:
- Articulation Disorders: Difficulty producing speech sounds correctly, leading to mispronunciations.
- Phonological Disorders: Difficulty understanding and using the sound system of a language.
- Fluency Disorders: nvolve interruptions in the flow of speech, such as stuttering. We offer evidence-based fluency intervention for children, including the Lidcombe Program, which is designed to support young children who stutter.
- Apraxia of Speech: Difficulty coordinating the movements for speech.
- Dysarthria: Weakness or paralysis of the muscles used for speech.
Types of Language Disorders:
- Receptive Language Disorders: Difficulty understanding language, including following directions, understanding what is said, and understanding grammar.
- Expressive Language Disorders: Difficulty using language to express oneself, including finding the right words, forming sentences, and using grammar.
- Developmental Language Disorder (DLD): A language disorder that is not associated with other conditions and affects the acquisition and use of language.
- Aphasia: A language disorder caused by brain damage, typically after a stroke or TBI, affecting speaking, understanding, reading, and writing.
- Selective Mutism Selective Mutism is an anxiety-related condition where a person can speak in some environments but has difficulty speaking in specific social situations, such as at school or in the community. This difficulty is not due to a lack of speech or language skills but is related to anxiety.
Support focuses on reducing anxiety and gradually building confidence to support communication in a safe, gentle, and pressure-free way. - Voice Disorders:Voice disorders occur when there are changes to the quality, pitch, loudness, or resonance of a person’s voice. These changes may result from vocal strain, misuse, or underlying medical conditions. Speech Pathology intervention can support healthy voice use, reduce the risk of vocal nodules, and improve overall vocal function. We also offer the LSVT LOUD® program. (link to program section)
- Literacy Disorders: Literacy disorders affect both children and adults and involve difficulties with reading, writing, or spelling. People with literacy disorders may have trouble recognizing words, understanding what they read, expressing ideas in writing, or spelling accurately. These challenges can impact school, work, and everyday activities and are often linked to earlier speech and language difficulties. With appropriate support and strategies, individuals of all ages can improve their literacy skills and succeed.
- Listening and Hearing Disorders: Listening and hearing skills are important for the development and use of speech and language across all ages, including children, teenagers, and adults. When someone experiences delays or difficulties with language, it is important to have their hearing tested by an audiologist to ensure all speech sounds can be heard clearly. Some individuals may have receptive language difficulties, which means they struggle to understand what they hear even though their hearing is normal.
