Speech disorders can be a form of communication disability that can range from mild to severe. Some of the most common speech disorders are stuttering, apraxia of speech, and dysarthria. These issues can affect an individual’s ability to communicate effectively with others. In this article, we’ll explore the types, symptoms, and causes of speech disorders, as well as potential treatments and strategies for managing them.
Types of speech disorders
There are many different types of speech disorders that all have unique underlying causes and severity levels.
- Stuttering: Also known as stammering or dysfluency in speech, stuttering is one of the most common forms of speech disorder in which a person has difficulty producing smooth and fluent speech.
- Apraxia of Speech: Also known as verbal apraxia or childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), this type of disorder is characterized by difficulty speaking due to a lack of muscle control in the face or mouth that affects the ability to produce certain sounds or words accurately.
- Dysarthria: This type occurs when an individual has difficulty forming certain sounds due to limited muscular control in the face or tongue caused by neurological damage often associated with stroke or brain injury.
- Lisping: A lisp refers to a type of misarticulation disorder where an individual produces particular sounds incorrectly, such as not pronouncing sibilant consonants properly, resulting in a “slushy” sound instead.
Types of language disorders
Phonological disorders: difficulty producing sounds in syllables or saying words incorrectly- Morphological disorders: difficulty in understanding and using grammatical markers in language
- Semantic disorders: difficulty understanding the meaning of words and concepts
- Syntactic disorders: difficulty understanding the order and structure of words, phrases, and sentences
- Pragmatic/social communication disorder: difficulties using language for social communication
Types of Speech and Language Disorders
Speech and language disorders (SLDs) are classified into three distinct types.
Expressive language disorder (ELD). This type of SLD is a communication disorder that affects a person’s ability to express their thoughts and ideas through speech and writing. People with this disorder may have difficulty finding the right words, organizing their thoughts, and expressing themselves clearly. They may also struggle with grammar and abstract concepts. An individual with an expressive language disorder can understand spoken language but cannot respond adequately.
Receptive language disorder (RLD). This type of communication disorder affects an individual’s understanding of spoken words. It can also affect their ability to understand the meaning behind those words. People with a receptive language disorder may have difficulty following instructions, comprehending and interpreting what others say, understanding word meaning or relationships between words, and using language in a socially appropriate manner.
Mixed receptive-expressive language disorder (MERLD). MERLD combines the symptoms of both ELD and RLD. It is a communication disorder that affects both an individual’s ability to express their thoughts and ideas, as well as their understanding of spoken words. People with this disorder may have difficulty finding the right words, organizing their thoughts, expressing themselves clearly, following instructions, comprehending and interpreting what others say, understanding word meaning or relationships between words, and using language in a socially appropriate manner.
What causes speech and language disorders?
Speech and language disorders can be caused by a variety of factors, such as:
- hearing loss
- motor skill deficits
- cognitive delays
- brain injury or other medical conditions
Other causes
Genetics. Studies suggest that genetic factors may be responsible for up to 60% of all language-related disorders, including those associated with an autism spectrum disorder. Additionally, genetic mutations have been linked to specific speech and language difficulties such as stuttering, dyslexia, and apraxia of speech.
Premature birth. Studies show that infants born prematurely are at an increased risk for developing communication issues, including language delays, difficulty understanding spoken language, and limited expressive language abilities. Additionally, complications related to premature birth, such as low birth weight or respiratory distress syndrome, can also contribute to a baby’s development of a speech or language disorder.
Family involvement. Studies suggest that children with greater levels of parent engagement have better expressive language skills and more advanced vocabulary. Additionally, modeling correct pronunciation and providing frequent opportunities for language-rich interactions have been found to improve a child’s speech development.
Unknown. It is important to note that many children who experience speech and language disorders do not have any known underlying cause.
Symptoms
The symptoms associated with different kinds of speech disorders vary depending on the type but generally include the following:
Difficulty pronouncing words correctly- Unclear articulation (mumbling)
- Inability to start/stop speaking
- Repetitions (i.e., repeating words or phrases)
- Prolongations (i.e., stretching out syllables)
- Interjections (i.e., randomly inserting meaningless words during conversations)
Treatment & Strategies for Management
Learning disabilities have no cure, but early intervention can lessen their effects. People with learning disabilities can develop ways to cope with their disabilities. Getting help earlier increases the chance of success in school and later in life. If learning disabilities remain untreated, a child may begin to feel frustrated, which can lead to low self-esteem and other problems.
Different types of treatment options
It is important to implement strategies that address the needs of the individual. We recommend that you apply these strategies across home, school, and community contexts.
Language disorders
- Focus on interactive communication.
- Use active listening.
- Incorporate the student’s interests into speech.
- Ensure that the student has a way to appropriately express their wants and needs.
- Reinforce communication attempts (e.g. gestures, partial verbalizations) when the student is non-verbal or emerging verbal.
- Paraphrase back what the student has said or indicated.
- Use storybook sharing in which a story is read to students and responses are elicited (praise is given for appropriate comments about the content).
- Ask appropriate open-ended questions.
- Use linguistic scaffolding techniques that involve a series of questions.
- Use language for social interaction and to resolve conflicts.
- Emphasize goals and tasks that are easy for the student to accomplish.
- Work at the student’s pace.
- Present only one concept at a time.
- Have the speech therapist present language units to the entire class.
- Use computers in the classroom for language enhancement.
- Encourage reading and writing daily.
- Use tactile and visual cues (e.g., pictures, 3-D objects).
- Incorporate vocabulary with the unit being taught.
- Provide fun activities that are functional and practical.
- Be aware of the student’s functioning level in auditory skills, semantics, word recall, syntax, phonology, and pragmatics (and how they affect academic performance).
Speech Disorders
- Develop a procedure for the student to ask for help.
- Speak directly to the student.
- Be a good speech model.
- Have easy and good interactive communication in the classroom.
- Consult a speech-language pathologist concerning your assignments and activities. Be aware that students may require another form of communication.
- Encourage participation in classroom activities and discussions.
- Model acceptance and understanding in the classroom.
- Anticipate areas of difficulty and involve the student in problem-solving.
- Assist and provide positive reinforcement when the student shows the ability to do something unaided.
- Use a peer-buddy system when appropriate.
- Devise alternate procedures for an activity with a student.
- Use gestures that support understanding.
- Model correct speech patterns and avoid correcting speech difficulties.
- Be patient when a student is speaking since rushing may result in frustration.
Speech and occupational therapy
Speech and occupational therapy can be beneficial for treating speech and language disorders. Speech therapy focuses on helping individuals with nonverbal or verbal communication problems. It often involves activities designed to improve pronunciation, word choice, and syntax, as well as the development of age-appropriate communication skills. Occupational therapists focus on actions requiring coordination and sensory processing, such as scribbling, grasping, and manipulating objects. Through the use of play-based strategies and sensory integration techniques, occupational therapists are able to assist children with speech and language delays in developing fine motor skills necessary for communication.
Other forms of communication
Alternative forms of communication, such as sign language or picture cards, can be beneficial for those who have difficulty with verbal communication. Sign language is a visual-gestural form of communication in which hand gestures and facial expressions express words, concepts, and phrases. Picture cards can be used to help individuals express themselves or answer questions when they cannot use verbal communication. They are typically composed of simple images that correspond to common words. Alternative forms of communication like these can provide a way for people with speech and language disorders to communicate more effectively.
Conclusion
Speech and language disorders can have a significant impact on communication abilities. However, there are various therapies and forms of alternative communication available to help individuals dealing with speech and language disorders. Speech therapy focuses on improving verbal and nonverbal communication skills, while occupational therapy works on developing the fine motor skills necessary for communication. Alternative forms of communication, like sign language or picture cards, can also provide a means for those struggling with speech and language disorders to express themselves. With the right intervention, people with speech and language disorders can improve their communication skills and lead fulfilling lives.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK356271/
https://www.mentalhelp.net/disorders-of-childhood/treatment-of-communication-disorders-and-reading/
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/speech-therapy.html
https://www.healthline.com/health/mixed-receptive-expressive-language-disorder
