Chapter 9: Speech and Language

Definitions: Communication: Exchange of Information and Knowledge – A basic human need Sender – Receiver – Channel (route through which information travels) Can be verbal or non verbal

Elements: Language (p.275) “a system of symbols, governed by complex rules, that individuals use for communication” Can be spoken or non spoken (ASL) Expressive Language – ability to produce language Receptive Language – the ability to comprehend

Language: A background How do we develop language? Skinner – Behaviorist Theory - Nurture Chomsky – LAD (Language Acquisition Device) – Nature Is there a critical or sensitive period for language development Story of Genie (Critical period for sentence structure – rules, sensitive period for language)

Speech/Language Impairment Defined as “a communication disorder, such as stuttering, impaired articulation, language impairment, or a voice impairment that adversely affects a child’s educational performance” (p.275) Importance of Speech Language Pathologist

Specific Language Impairments (SLI) Language delay (slower acquisition of language) Aphasia (loss of language after it has developed) From accident/injury / TBI

Speech Disorders – 4 categories 1) Voice disorders (difficulty with pitch, vocal quality, etc.) -unusually soft speech -muffled speech -cleft lip and palate issues 2)Articulation disorders Omission (bo – for boat) Additions (ammmmaminal for animal) Errors of distortion (sh for s)

Fluency Disorders Stuttering (speech broken by sound repetitions, prolonged sound, absence of sound) Many stutterers in history/popular culture http://www.stutteringhelp.org/ SLP very helpful here

Disorders of Resonance: Weak speech

Biological causes Physiological issues TBI (frontal lobes) Hearing loss/deafness Aphasia Cleft Lip/Palate (congenital birth defect) http://www.operationsmile.org/

Environmental Causes: Skinnerian theory True environment issue (talk to your child, talk with your child) Children of Low SES of high risk for speech/language issues b/c of inadequate medical care ( for ear infections, etc.)

Cognitive/Academic Characteristics Need S/L skills for communication and learning in all subject areas Children who have S/L delays at high risk for reading disability

Social/Emotional Characteristics Teasing Low self esteem Self consciousness Difficulty in social situations Difficulty in academic situations Difficulty with being “taken seriously” in the academic arena

Behavioral Characteristics If you can’t express needs verbally – there is ultimate frustration… Students with SLP at high risk for behavioral disorders

Dual Diagnosis/Co morbidity Autism Hearing Loss Physical/health disability, etc.

Eligibility for Services Does student have a SIGNIFICANT delay? Does the students S/L issues effect educational performance Can the student benefit from intervention

Importance: Early intervention services Most (88% of student) receive pull out services from a speech language pathologist Transition and adulthood services: (self advocation, self esteem, academic demands)

Visit/explore a website which deals with an SLP issue we talked about today: Operation smile Stuttering Foundation http://www.hmc.psu.edu/childrens/healthin fo/a/aphasia.htm http://www.asha.org/default.htm http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/deve lopment/language_development.shtml