May is Better Speech, Language and Hearing Month

THE FACE OF A COMMUNICATION DISORDER My Name is Kaity I have dsypraxia Can you give me a voice?

WHAT IS A COMMUNICATION DISORDER? A communication disorder is an inability to understand or use speech and language to relate to others in society. This can be divided into four areas: Language - this involves listening, speaking, reading and writing Articulation - the pronunciation of sounds and words Voice - the sound produced by vibration of the vocal cords Stuttering - a disruption in the normal flow or rhythm of speech

THE FACE OF A COMMUNICATION DISORDER My Name is Robbie I have Prader-Willi Syndrome Can you give me a voice?

THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION The ability to communicate effectively is an essential skill in modern society Speech and language skills are the most critical human function allowing for full participation in society because: Language provides the main method of establishing and maintaining social relationships Language constitutes a principal means of organizing behaviour and is central to the normal acquisition of many cognitive and academic skills, particularly literacy

THE FACE OF A COMMUNICATION DISORDER My Name is Jessica I have a Communication Disorder Can you give me a voice?

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF COMMUNICATION DISORDERS? The brain is very complex and our understanding of how it works is very limited. For the majority of Communication Disorders, we do not understand the cause. However, we do have an understanding of how to help many children maximize their speech and language development

THE FACE OF A COMMUNICATION DISORDER My Name is Bruce-Earl I have Asperger’s Disorder Can you give me a voice?

COMMUNICATION FACTS 1 in 10 Canadians have a Communication Disorder – ranging from hearing impairments, to speech disorders, to language disorders Language is not just another subject in school. It is the means by which all other subjects are pursued The drop out rate in children with speech and language disorders is 43% compared to 23% in non-impaired children.

COMMUNICATION FACTS Children who have communication impairments are at a disadvantage in every way, including their ability to be educated Speech and language disorders are strongly related to failure in reading and writing Oral communication skills are the precursors to literacy skills. Children with poor or disordered oral communication have great difficulty with literacy skills

THE FACE OF A COMMUNICATION DISORDER My Name is Kayla I have a Language Disorder Can you give me a voice?

COMMUNICATION FACTS The child with an unresolved language problem at school typically has problems in learning to read and write, may be isolated due to difficulties in socializing, and eventually may have great difficulty in getting and holding a job Friendships, which are based on the ability to share, are hindered by weak language skills.

THE FACE OF A COMMUNICATION DISORDER My Name is Cameron I have Global Delays Can you give me a voice?

COMMUNICATION FACTS Children with communication disorders can become so frustrated by their lack of understanding or ability to express themselves that they misbehave Children with behavioural disorders are 10 times more likely than other children to have unsuspected language disorders

THE FACE OF A COMMUNICATION DISORDER My Name is Breaden I have Autism Can you give me a voice?

COMMUNICATION FACTS Language acquisition is an integral component in the development of an individual and failure of the language system will have life-long negative impact on social, academic and vocational success As the language delayed child ages, the gap between themselves and their peers widens. Thus, the longer the child’s problems remain unmanaged, the more pronounced the delay becomes and the more pervasive the impact

COMMUNICATION FACTS Children with communication impairments are more likely to be ignored by other children Speech and language services, delivered by a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) are fundamental education tools our children require to be able to complete their basic education and prepare them for life

THE FACE OF A COMMUNICATION DISORDER Our Names are Aaron & Avery We have a Communication Disorders Can you give me a voice?

WHO IS THE SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST? Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) is the uniquely qualified professional to provide services. S/he has a Master’s Degree or equivalent including a minimum of six years of University Educational training in: Child development, and psychology

WHO IS THE SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST? Linguistics: the study of the structure of language and it’s acquisition, production, form, content and use Language disorders: oral and written communication Sound Development, and disorders of acquisition and production

WHO IS THE SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST? 300 classroom hours (minimum) in the assessment and treatment of language disorders 320 hours of supervised clinical management of Communication Disorders

WHO IS THE SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST? 9 month Mentorship Program post-graduation Regulated Profession by the College of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Agencies providing speech and language intervention services (including assessment and unsupervised remediation) through unsupervised, unlicensed personnel are open to legal action and fines under the Ontario Rehabilitation Health Professional Act

THE FACE OF A COMMUNICATION DISORDER My Name is Glen I have Semantic/Pragmatic Developmental Language Disorder Can you give me a voice?

WHO IS THE SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST? Speech-Language Pathologists serve the sometimes invisible and voiceless minority who can not always understand or speak for themselves yet they deserve to be treated as equitably as those with more obvious disabilities. The SLP not only intervenes to improve the communication skills but also to facilitate access to others in the child’s world, sometimes enhancing access to training and education and sometimes providing the social link so necessary to the psychological well being of humans. One could say that the SLP provides access to the quality of life we all enjoy.

THE FACE OF A COMMUNICATION DISORDER My Name is Nick I have Dysfluency Can you give me a voice?

WHY ARE SPEECH-PATHOLOGY SERVICES NEEDED IN SCHOOLS? The language used in the classroom is complex Most instruction is delivered through the language code in spoken or written form so you must be able to listen or read to understand The child lets the teacher know what they have learned by speaking or writing

WHY ARE SPEECH-PATHOLOGY SERVICES NEEDED IN SCHOOLS? Children are expected to learn through listening at least 60% of the time during the elementary school years and 90% of the time during the secondary school years Learning to read requires good language skills, since reading is simply another code which depends upon oral language knowledge

WHY ARE SPEECH-PATHOLOGY SERVICES NEEDED IN SCHOOLS? Learning to write involves high level language skills It is estimated that 10% of students will have a language delay or disorder

My Name is Brendan I have a Communication Disorder Can you give me a voice? THE FACE OF A COMMUNICATION DISORDER

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION? There is clear evidence that language intervention is effective and that the earlier treatment is began, the better the outcome For school children with weak language skills, language services which are integrated into the education setting by school Speech Language Pathologists have resulted in important educational outcomes:

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION Significant gains in reading skills for elementary school children Meaningful improvements in adaptive behaviour in the classroom and at home Substantial reductions in the drop-out rate for secondary school Better outcomes in education for children mean that these children become contributing and independent members of society thus saving our limited resources

We are the future. We want to be a taxpayer, a voter, to live and work independently and to be a vital part of society. Can you help give us a voice?

HOW CAN YOU HELP? Call your MPP Request mandated Speech Language Services in our schools and increased monies to the Preschool Language Programs and the Community Care Access Centres.

Lanark, Leeds & Grenville Chapter (613)