1. Causes of Communicative Disorders
Articulation
Preventable
Hearing loss
Dental abnormalities
Chronic infections
Most types of mental retardation
Infections diseases (mumps, measles)
Non Preventable
Developmental immaturity
Neuromuscular disorders
Some type of genetic disorders

2. Causes of Communicative Disorders
Voice
Preventable
Vocal abuse
Upper respiratory infections
Allergies
Airborne irritants
Smoking, drugs, & alcohol abuse
Some hearing loss
Trauma & injury
Some genetic disorders
Non preventable
Constitutional factors
Some cancers
Viral infections
Some genetic disorders
Some hearing loss

3. Causes of Communicative Disorders
Language
Preventable
Familial factors
Cultural factors
Some types of MR, genetic disorders, and brain damages
Malnutrition
Low birth weigh
Prenatal alcohol & drug use and smoking
Strokes
Environmental pollutants (lead)
Non-preventable
Some types of hearing loss
Some genetic disorders
Developmental immaturity
Autism
Progressive neurological deficits
Suspected constitutional factors resulting in psychosis
Some types of mental retardation

4. Causes of Communicative Disorders
Fluency
Preventable
Environmental factors, i.e, general & communicative stress
Adverse reactions by/to others
Cultural factors
Non-preventable
Suspected genetic factors
Suspected neuro-physiology problems

5. Perspectives on Language Development
Behavioral Approach (BF Skinner 1950’s)
environmental variables-parental input
Psycholinguistic/Syntactic Approach (Noam Chomsky ’s)
we are prewired, born with a linguistic mechanism
Semantic/Cognitive Approach (Bloom 1970)
study on the meaning of an utterance instead if syntax
semantic relation, the categories of meaning children use
meanings are based on cognitive knowledge, not syntax

6. Perspectives on Language Development
Pragmatic Approach
Bruner, (1970’s)
early reflexive behaviors and gestures are refined through repeated communicative interactions
languages learned in order to socialize and direct the behavior of others
McLean and Snyder-McLean ( )
language is acquired and only develops if the child has a reason to talk
A child’s language grows when he/she participants in dynamic interactions with mature language-users