Speech and Language

Speech and Language

May is "Better Hearing and Speech Month" (BHSM).

Audiologists and speech-language pathologists across the country designate this special month to inform and educate consumers about communication disorders and their roles in treating these disorders.

? Did you know…


The Escondido Union School District (EUSD) provides Speech Language and Hearing services to preschool, elementary and middle school children, through the Special Education Department. These services are provided by highly qualified Speech Language Pathologists. (SLP) School based Speech Language Pathologists have a Master’s degree in Communicative Disorders, and also a Clinical Rehabilitative Services Credential, issued by the California Teaching Credentialing department. Many of the Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs), who work for EUSD, are nationally certified, and have earned the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Language Pathology and /or Audiology (CCC-SLP / A) from the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). Many SLPs at EUSD also hold the California State License given by the state Speech Language Pathology and Audiology Board requirement to work in rehabilitation, hospital, and private practice settings. In order to acquire these certifications, SLPs have to undergo a rigorous academic program, Including a Bachelor’s degree, several internships, and externships, a Master’s degree followed by a supervised Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY). It is necessary for SLPs to have a thorough knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, and neurology, and neuropathology related to human speech and communication to effectively diagnose and treat speech and language disorders.

DEFINITION OF SPEECH AND LANGUAGE DISORDERS Speech and language disorders refer to problems in communication and related areas such as oral motor function. These delays and disorders range from simple sound substitutions to the inability to understand or use language or use the oral-motor mechanism for functional speech and feeding. Some causes of speech and language disorders include hearing loss, neurological disorders, brain injury, mental retardation, drug abuse, physical impairments such as cleft lip or palate, and vocal abuse or misuse. Frequently, however, the cause is unknown. INCIDENCE More than one million of the students served in the U.S. public schools' special education programs are categorized as having speech and / or language impairment. This estimate does not include children who have speech/language problems secondary to other conditions such as deafness. Language disorders may be related to other disabilities such as mental retardation, autism, or cerebral palsy. It is estimated that communication disorders (including speech, language, and hearing disorders) affect one of every 10 people in the United States.
TYPES OF SPEECH AND LANGUAGE DISORDERS SPEECH DISORDERS: Articulation or Phonological disorders Difficulties producing speech sounds. Difficulties with the way sounds are formed and strung together, usually characterized by substituting one sound for another (wabbit for rabbit), omitting a sound (han for hand) or distorting a sound (shlip for sip). They may say, "see" when they mean, "ski" or they may have trouble using other sounds like "l" or "r". Listeners may have trouble understanding what someone with a speech disorder is trying to say. Not to be confused with developmental speech delay, is developmental apraxia or (dyspraxia). This is a condition that affects the child’s ability to plan, sequence and execute the movements necessary for speech. The child may also have difficulty receiving sensory feedback regarding the placement of the articulators for speech. Voice Disorders Voice Difficulties with pitch, volume, or quality of the voice. Voice disorders are characterized by inappropriate pitch (too high, too low, never changing or interrupted by breaks); loudness (too loud or not loud enough); or quality (harsh, hoarse, breathy or nasal). Stuttering An interruption in the flow -or –rhythm of speech characterized by blocks, he ~ si~ ta~ tions; re -re –repetitions, or prooooolongations of sound, syllables, words or phrases, which is called dysfluency. These can affect syllables, words, or phrases; rate of speech; and speech naturalness. Language Disorder It is an impairment in the ability to understand and/or use words in context, both verbally and nonverbally. Some characteristics of language disorders include: improper use of words and their meanings, inability to express ideas, inappropriate grammatical patterns, reduced vocabulary and inability to follow directions. One or a combination of these characteristics may occur in children who are affected by language learning disabilities or developmental language delay. Children may hear or see a word but not be able to understand its meaning. They may have trouble getting others to understand what they are trying to communicate. A child with a language disorder may not use the language commensurate with her peers. She may be delayed in acquiring the vocabulary, syntax, grammar and pragmatics of her age mates. The child may have some of the characteristics of the language expected for her age, say vocabulary, but may be behind in syntax. Another child may have difficulty understanding the pragmatics of language and not know what to say in a given situation, whereas vocabulary may be limited in yet another. These problems in language development may be correlated with problems in later developing language-related areas such as reading. For further information regarding language based learning disabilities go to: http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/Language-Based-Learning-Disabilities.htm Hearing Disorders Individuals with a hearing disorder do not hear sound clearly. The problem may range from hearing sounds faintly to profound deafness. Some causes of hearing loss are chronic ear infections or exposure to very loud noise, which can damage the structure of the inner ear as well as the auditory nerve. Other causes include aging and health problems during birth. EDUCATIONAL IMPLICATIONS While many speech and language patterns can be called "baby talk" and are part of a young child's normal development, they can become problems if they are not outgrown as expected. In this way an initial delay in speech and language or an initial speech pattern can become a disorder that can cause difficulties in learning. Because of the way the brain develops, it is easier to learn language and communication skills before the age of 5. When children have muscular disorders, hearing problems or developmental delays, their acquisition of speech, language and related skills is often affected. Vocabulary and concept growth continues during the years children are in school. Reading and writing are taught and, as students get older, the understanding and use of language becomes more complex. Communication skills are at the heart of the education experience. Speech and/or language therapy may continue throughout a student's school year either in the form of direct therapy or on a consultant basis. The speech-language pathologist may assist vocational teachers and counselors in establishing communication goals related to the work experiences of students and suggest strategies that are effective for the important transition from school to employment and adult life. The following sources were utilized to obtain the above information: www.nichcy.org/pubs/factshe/fs11txt.htm Are Speech & Language Disorders Serious? Yes. The ability to communicate is our most human characteristic. Human communication is essential to learning, working, and social interaction. Impaired communication can affect every aspect of a person's life. What Are The Causes Of Speech & Language Disorders? Some of the causes are related to hearing loss, cerebral palsy and other neuromuscular disorders, severe head injury, stroke, viral disease, mental retardation, certain drugs, physical impairments such as cleft lip or palate, vocal abuse or misuse, and inadequate speech and language models; frequently, however, the cause is unknown. Who Is Qualified To Help People With Speech Or Language Disorders? Speech-language pathologists are specialists in human communication, its development, and its disorders. They are professionally educated to evaluate and treat persons with communication problems. Where Can You Find A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)? SLPs are employed in hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, government agencies, and private practice. Many SLPs are specialized and work with specific populations or disorders, such as child language, learning disabilities, developmental delays, autism, articulation/phonology, fluency, voice, swallowing, neurogenics, dementia, and acquired brain injury. How Can The Speech-Language Pathologist Help? Speech-language pathologists assist children who have communication disorders in various ways. They provide therapy for the child; consult with the child's teacher about the most effective ways to facilitate the child's communication in the class setting; and work closely with the family to develop goals and techniques for effective therapy in class and at home. Technology can help children whose physical conditions make communication difficult. The use of electronic communication systems allow nonspeaking people and people with severe physical disabilities to engage in the give and take of shared thought. School-Based SLPs have many Roles Prevention of communication disorders through early intervention Assessing students’ speech and language skills Interpreting the results of comprehensive assessments Diagnosing communication disorders AND Developing and implementing Individualized Education Programs(IEPS) Completing all required legal paperwork Documenting progress and therapy outcomes Providing consultation to school staff and families Collaborating with teachers, other professionals and families AND Programming and maintaining assistive technology devices Participating on curriculum and literacy teams Providing staff and parent training Supervising SLPAs, graduate students and clinical fellows Services can vary depending on students’ needs Monitoring or periodic screening Collaborating and consulting Classroom based services Small group or individual sessions Speech classrooms Adapted from American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2005). "The Role of the SLP in Schools." Available at www.asha.org/members/slp/schools For additional information regarding speech, language and hearing disabilities, contact the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 10801 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852, 1-800-638-8255 (U.S. only) or (301) 897-8682 (Voice or TTY). Or visit the ASHA's web site at http://www.asha.org ASHA Resources for Consumers About Communication Disorders ASHA’s Public Web site WWW.ASHA.ORG/public/ The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional and scientific society that represents 81,427 audiologists; speech-language pathologists; and speech, language and hearing scientists. ASHA's mission is to promote the interest of its members, to provide them with the highest quality services, and to advocate for people with communication disabilities.