Overview of speech & language Outline: Lecture 4 [Oct. 7, 2003] Children with Speech & Language Differences Overview of speech & language Elements of language Speech mechanism Theories of language development Speech & language development Communication disorders Classification of language & speech disorders Etiology Assessment Developmental consequences Interventions

Elements of Language Basic components of language Phonology Articulation Morphology Syntax Semantics Pragmatics Communication, speech, and language

Communication The exchange of ideas, thoughts, and feelings

The Speech Mechanism See Figure 4-1 in text Physical structures: Lips, Tongue, Teeth, Jaw Nasal cavity Pharynx, larynx Physiological processes Vocalization Articulation Modulation

Theories of Language Development Behavioural Approach Social Learning Approach Cognitive &Biological Approaches Piaget Noam Chomsky [Language Acquisition Device]

Speech & Language Development Prelinguistic Period Newborn: Vocalizations: cry, burp, cough 3-8 wks: Cooing – clear vowel sounds 3-6 mo: Babbling – vowel & consonant sounds 9-10 mo: Canonical babbling – correct inflection One-word stage [around 12 mo.] Holophrases – one word stands for whole idea Two-word stage [18-24 mo.] Telegraphic speech – no articles, prepositions, pronouns Preschool period Acquire grammatical morphemes in a sequence

Communication Disorders: Language vs Speech Problems Language Problems difficulties with the linguistic code, or with the rules for linking the symbols and the symbol sequences Speech Problems problems in the oral production of language

Specific Language Disorders [SLD] [DSM-IV] Phonological Failure to use age-appropriate speech sounds Expressive Limited vocabulary, short sentences Receptive-Expressive Cannot understand speech - most severe of the language disorders

Language Problems Language Delay: severe lag but follows normal progression Language Disorder: impaired comprehension and poor verbal expression primary: no other contributing condition secondary: other disabling conditions present Aphasia: inability to communicate effectively with verbal language because of comprehension and/or expression difficulties developmental vs acquired aphasia

Etiology of Language Problems Brain dysfunction Broca’s area Wernicke’s area Brain lateralization Psychological problems Disruptions in early social interactions

SLD: Underlying psychological deficits [Bishop,1992] Six hypotheses to explain developmental language disorders: [1] defects in output of speech [2] deficits in auditory perception [3] lack specific brain module [4] higher level conceptual deficit [5] deficit in learning processes [6] limited capacity to process information

Speech Problems Phonological & Articulation Problems: Phonological: does not know how to use speech sounds Articulation: unable to make speech sounds Voice Disorders: hoarseness, loudness, pitch Speech Flow Problems [dysfluency]: impaired fluency and rhythm Stuttering Cluttering

Speech Problems [cont’d] Muscle Control Problems: Dysarthria: paralysis of muscles associated with speech Apraxia: unable to program, position, sequence muscle movements Orofacial Defects: e.g. cleft palate Mutism: total absence of speech Aphonia: no voice

Etiology of Speech Problems Structural defects Nervous system damage Biological, Biochemical, or Genetic factors

Developmental Consequences Almost every aspect of functioning is hindered. Cognitive development Academic achievement Social & emotional development

Assessment of Language & Speech Problems Multidisciplinary approach Interview with family Measures of cognitive ability & achievement Formal evaluation of language abilities & disabilities Informal assessment of child’s language

Interventions Medical intervention Therapy Technical intervention Surgical repair of orofacial defects Therapy Speech therapy psychotherapy Technical intervention Computers Augmentative communication Educational intervention Inclusion Educational approaches