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Communication Disorders

Mel Blanc was the voice of many Looney Tune characters. He mimicked a variety of speech defects which helped give the characters their distinctive personalities. By viewing this presentation, you will learn the differences among the four types of disorders and when to refer a student for a suspected speech problem.

There are four main types of speech and language disorders: Articulation Voice Fluency Language

Elmer Fudd has a classic articulation disorder. Although other factors must be considered, you could refer any child age 8 or older if he sounds a little like Elmer Fudd. Articulation Disorders

Sylvester the Cat has a lateral lisp, another type of articulation disorder. His speech sounds kind of ‘slushy’. You should refer any child who still sounds like Sylvester, in second grade. Articulation Disorders

Another type of articulation disorder is most likely to be heard in children just starting school. It may sound like ‘baby talk’. Refer any student who sounds like Tweety Bird. Articulation Disorders

There are two types of voice disorders common in school children. The first is chronic hoarseness. If a student has hoarseness that lasts over two weeks and is not attributable to a cold or allergies, you should refer that student for a voice evaluation. Children who speak loudly, yell, or talk a lot, may become hoarse. Voice Disorders

A second type of voice disorder is called ‘hypernasality’. Always refer a student if you think his or her voice sounds very nasal. Voice Disorders

Porky Pig has become synonymous with stuttering. When someone stutters, we say he or she has a fluency disorder. If you notice a child stuttering in your class, please refer that child for a speech-language evaluation. Fluency Disorders

Language disorders are the most complex of the problems speech pathologists work with. They can be receptive, expressive or both. A student with a suspected language disorder may have academic problems and should be referred for a language evaluation. Language Disorders A student who is just learning English and speaks with an accent is NOT language disordered.

Language Disorders A child who has a language disorder will have difficulty saying what he or she means, answering questions or expressing ideas. He or she may also have a limited vocabulary.

Language Disorders Another type of language disorder is receptive. Children with this type of disorder have difficulty following directions or comprehending spoken and written language. These children may appear to be confused when given verbal instructions.

Prepared by Vicky Carter Sound bytes and graphics were retrieved Revised, August 27, 2004 from Thank You for your time. Please see your speech language pathologist if you have any questions.