Communication Disorders

Communication Disorders

Communication disorders

Communication disorders defined: Students who demonstrate difficulties with exchanging knowledge, ideas, opinion, desires, and feelings (206).

Communication become a problem “when it deviates enough to interfere with the transmission of messages, stands out as being unusual or different, or produces negative feelings or responses” (206).

Early Intervention and ordinary development

“Some children with delayed language development at age 2 continue to have communication problems throughout their. . .school years. . . [especially] when early detection and intervention does not occur.” (206)   

Development of productive language sounds continues through age 7, 8, or 9 in normal childhood vocal sound production.

Multiple Select

(check all that apply) Communication becomes a problem when. . .

• it stands out as unusual or different

• produces negative feelings or negative responses

• it deviates enough to interefere with the transmission of messages

• It is not effortless to produce

Multiple Choice

Children normally produce all speech sounds by age/grade. . .

• 2-3 (early pre-k)

• 7-9 (grade 2 or 3)

• 5-6 (K-1st)

• 4-7 (Pre-K, K, 1st or 2nd)

What to do about speech problems?

The common thread of advice in this chapter is to collaborate with the SLP.

-If you think a student might have a speech or language disorder, talk to parents and SLP.

-Referral process to SLP for their professional evaluation?

-Teach effective communication to your students if applicable (K-5 and Secondary English teachers have most prominent roles here, but everyone can play a part, even math teachers!)

SLP evaluates student

(credit: D.V.M. Bishop)

Multiple Choice

If I suspect a student has a communication disorder, I will

• tell the student they have a disorder

• tell the parents their student has a communication disorder

• consider talking with SLP and parents about your concerns and ask for their help/input

• Tell the SLP they have to diagnose the student

Voice disorders

Voice disorders distort vocal sound.

A common one is vocal nodules.

Prevention is simple- teachers can instruct kids to

1. avoid yelling
2. breathe from the stomach.

-there are other voice disorders, but they are rare in school kids.

Productive/expressive language problems:

Students may communicate less than peers.

They may struggle with grammar, finding words, and clarifying their messages when misunderstood.

Delays in comprehension or receptive language:

Students frequently ask for repeat or clarification of information.

Students have difficulty following directions, understanding abstract concepts, and multiple meanings.

Fluency disorders- trouble with the flow and rate of speech

• Stuttering is a common fluency disorder

• 1 in 20 kids under age 5 stutter to some amount

• If kids are still stuttering after age 5, refer them to the SLP.

Social communication disorders

-Students may show problems w/ eye contact, body language, missing or misreading cues and emotions, lack social conventions.

-requires professional diagnosis and intervention.

-One notable social communication disorder: Selective Mutism. The inability for students with this disorder to speak in certain social contexts (rooted in anxiety, creates temporary vocal cord paralysis). 

There are many causes of communication disorders.

Some are genetic.

Some are traumatic.

-Many common Special Ed designations, such as ADHD and Autism, are associated with communication disorders.

Further Resources

Guide to teacher-SLP communication:

https://www.speech-language-therapy.com/pdf/aPatchellHand1993.pdf

EL =/= disorder (credit DVM Bishop)