1. Communication Disorders By Carrie, Kathleen & Maggie

2. Let’s Play Telephone!

3. What is a Communication Disorder and Why is Communicating Effectively Important? Failing to transfer information from one person to another. Students with a CD frequently perform below grade level.

4. Frequency of Communication Disorders 1 in 6 (16%) people in the U.S. has a communication disorder. That is approx. 42 million people. 10% of our population has a functional speech disorder, of which 8% to 9% of those require treatment.

5. A Look at Pinellas County Statistics Pinellas County has approx. 104,000 preK-12 public school students. 16% of 104,000 is approx. 16,640 students with a CD.

6. Speech and Language Disorders Speech Disorder – Difficulty producing sounds, as well as disorders of voice quality. *Example: Stuttering Receptive Language Disorder – Difficulty comprehending what is said. Expressive Disorder - Difficulty using spoken language.

7. English as a Second Language A language difference is not the same as a disorder. However, not speaking English can be an impediment to effective learning. A foreign dialect can be a problem for non-native English speakers.

8. Typical Development Five Components to Language System Phonology – The use of sounds to make meaningful syllables & sounds. Morphology – The system that governs the structure of words. Syntax – Rules for putting together a series of words to form sentences. Semantics – The meaning of what is expressed. Pragmatics – The use of communication in context.

9. Determining the Causes Organic Causes – Identifiable problem in the neuromuscular system. Functional Disorder – No identifiable neuromuscular cause.

10. Effects Of Socio Economic Status (SES) There is a discrepancy between low SES (often including ELL) and high SES student achievement. “On Average, children from low-income families acquire language at a slower rate & demonstrate both differences in language use and poorer language skills than children from higher income families. Low SES is also a correlate of the diagnosis of specific language disorders.” --The MIT Encyclopedia of Communication Disorders, Raymond Kent

11. Speech Disorders Includes disorders of articulation, voice and fluency.

12. Articulation Disorders Most common disorder among the youngest students. Substitutions – For example, sounds such as /d/ for /th/. DOZE for THOSE. Omissions – Leaves a phoneme out of a word. For example “ap” for apple. Additions – Adding a vowel between two consonants. Ger-een for green.

13. Distortions – Not producing a phoneme correctly. Often a lisp. Distortions – Not producing a phoneme correctly. Often a lisp. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwjO-vWo4Oc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwjO-vWo4Oc

14. Speech Apraxia – The brain knows what it wants to say, but can’t deliver the message to the mouth. Speech Apraxia – The brain knows what it wants to say, but can’t deliver the message to the mouth. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYmm23EPXjU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYmm23EPXjU

15. Voice Disorders Pitch Intensity Resonance

16. Fluency Disorder Fluency – The rate and rhythm of speaking.

17. Language Impairments Phonology - Unable to differentiate between sounds. For example, BAT and PAT. Morphology - Trouble with the structure of words. For example, adding an ED to signify past tense. Syntax – Trouble constructing a sentence. Semantics – Relates to the meaning of a sentence. Pragmatics – Social use of language.

18. Evaluating Students with Communication Disorders

19. Determining the Presence of Communication Disorders 1. Observation Parents & Teachers *Child has difficulty utilizing & comprehending language. *Child has difficulties with speaking clearly. Medical Personnel *Child not achieving developmental milestones related to communication skills. *Change in communication skills.

20. Determining the Presence of Communication Disorders (cont.) 2. Screening (Also described as an “Intervention” by many school districts) Classroom Work -- Child may be afraid to participate verbally in class due to disability. Written work may be safer form of expression. Vision Screening -- Limited vision may impact communication skills. Hearing Screening -- Child may have hearing loss or history of inner ear infection.

21. Determining the Presence of Communication Disorders (cont.) 3. Prereferral Implementation of suggestions from a school- based team. *Teachers model speech sounds, increase student’s language. *Parents may implement suggestions from the team if child has been identified before entering school. 4. Referral Child referred to multidisciplinary team if he or she still performs poorly in academics or continues to have communication impairments.

22. Determining the Presence of Communication Disorders (cont.) 5. Nondiscriminatory Evaluation Procedures and Standards Speech Assessments *Articulation – evaluates student’s ability to produce speech sounds in single words, sentences and conversation. Appearance, strength and abilities of lips, tongue, palate and jaw are also evaluated at this time (Oral Motor Exam). *Voice – evaluates voice problems and factors affecting voice quality such as pitch, intensity, nasality. *Fluency – measures the amount of dysfluency (impairment of the ability to produce smooth, fluent speech)and duration of dysfluency while student is speaking.

23. Determining the Presence of Communication Disorders (cont.) Language Assessments *Focus on phonology, semantics, syntax and overall expressive/receptive language. *SLP observes child in different environments and with different people including friends, teachers, classmates.

24. Determining the Presence of Communication Disorders (cont.) 6.Determination SLP determines if the child has a communication disorder and if this disorder affects the child’s learning. SLP utilizes culturally sensitive therapies for bilingual students.

25. Multicultural Considerations Bilingual or multilingual students need specialized speech/language assessments. Difficult to make fair assessments of these students. Should the student be tested in their native language or in English? SLP normally tests students in their dominant language. SLP must determine – Is it a language difference or a disability?

26. Role of Speech Language Pathologists  Direct contact with students is majority of workload.  Programming augmentative communication devices and educating paraprofessionals on how to use them.  Align IEP goals with teachers and paraprofessionals. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association identified four different types of activities that SLP’s use in schools: 1. Direct services to schools 2. Indirect services to implement student’s education programs 3. Indirect services to support students in the general education curriculum 4. Activities as members of the community of educators

27. A Speech Language Pathologist Speaks About Student Assessment A Speech Language Pathologist Speaks About Student Assessment http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ssz_cutETTE&list=FLs36MXXg507Hju44DEWLTZQ&index=1&feature=plpp_video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ssz_cutETTE&list=FLs36MXXg507Hju44DEWLTZQ&index=1&feature=plpp_video

28. Accommodations in the Classroom

29. Presentation Do adaptations need to be made to instruction & materials? *Keep a slow paced delivery & speak clearly (If needed, allow students to tape the lecture on a recorder.) *Provide step by step directions *Use visual support to help the student understand (gestures, pictures, printed handouts, graphic organizers) *Stay well-organized. Don’t rush transitions to new topics & activities

30. The Importance of Graphic Organizers During a lecture, they provide a visual representation and can be used as a reference during discussions later on. During reading, they help guide organization and make great study guides. Visually links together groups of important information for the students!

31. Response Do adaptations need to be made to assignments & assessments in order for students to successfully participate? *Allow student extra time to verbally respond to questions. (Cues and advanced notice can be used to help students prepare and reduce anxiety) *Written assignments & exams might be used in place of oral presentations or reports. *Multiple choice/True & False formats can be used to avoid long written or oral responses. *Extra time might also be needed for tests.

32. Setting Do adaptations need to be made to the learning environment? *Reduce noise and talking in the classroom. *Have the student sit at the front of the class during instruction & lectures. *Alternate ways for student to contribute vocally to class & group discussions. *Allow use of special communication devices.

33. Assistive Technology Alternative Vs. Augmentative Low tech Vs. Hi Tech Kidsperation Software Portable Communication Devices (Go talk systems, Iphone/Ipad Apps.)

34. Graphic Organizers Communication Message Boards Communication Bracelets Picture Books/Boards

35. ELL Students with Communication Disorders Use pictures as often as possible, visual images are much easier to understand than audio. Collaborate with the ESL teachers, SLPs & parents on objectives and goals. Consider the cultural and linguistic factors that affect delivery. Encourage Peer Buddies and class interactions.

36. You Can Conquer Communication Disorders! Just Ask these Familiar Faces!