Speech and Language

English for Special Educators A

1. All about speech and language disorders

a)    Read this article introducing basic information about speech disorders and choose the correct
word from those highlighted in the text.

Communication is a 2-way street and can break down on both ends, i.e., comprehension and expression
difficulties.  Speech disorders or speech impediments are a typical / type of communication
disorders where 'normal' speech is disrupted. Someone who / which is totally unable to speak due to
a speech disorder is considered mute.

There are several / other areas where problems can appear:

Receptive Language – understanding / pronouncing words/language, following directions, auditory
processing

Expressive Language – formulation of sentences, grammar, etc.

Cognition – includes memory, topic maintenance

Speech – how clear the noises / sounds are, rate of speech (includes dysarthria, apraxia,
stuttering)

Voice – proper pitch, volume and quality of voice

Pragmatics – all the non-speech stuff, like eye contact, facial expressions, social behavior etc.

Classifying / Classification speech into normal and disordered is more problematic than / then it
first seems. By a strict classification, only 5% to 10% of the population has a completely /
terribly normal manner of speaking (with respect to all parameters) and healthy voice; all others
suffer from one disorder or another.

Communication disorders come in all forms and affect all age / ageing groups. Some infants are /
will born with them, while other disorders are not evident until / while the child becomes a
toddler. These disorders can stem from physical or psychological trauma, birth defects, or chemical
imbalances in the brain.

The elderly are also severely affected by communication disorders. Many patients recovering from
strokes hide / lose the abilities to understand language or to communicate verbally. These
impairments can be purely physical, but many stem from brain damage caused by / for lack of oxygen
to the brain. Many Alzheimer's patients also experience / tolerate communication disorders.

Accident victims are commonly effected / affected by communication disorders as well.

Different types of communication disorders include / consist:

•    Articulation disorders

•    Phonological disorders

•    Language disorders

•    Fluency disorders

•    Vocal disorders

•    Aphasia

•    Delayed speech

•    Dysarthria

•    Autism-related disorders

•    Aphonia – inability to speak

There are many professionals who are involved in the process / field of diagnosing and treating
speech impairments, such as speech pathologists, audiologists, special education teachers, special
counsellors and consultants or speech and hearing therapists.

              (adapted from http://en.allexperts.com/q/Speech-Disorders-987/Speech-Impediments.htm,
                                                                             www.wikipedia.org, and
http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online-education-guide/health-medical/communication-disorders-major.h
                                                                                                tm)

2. The Importance of Speech and Language

a)    You are going to watch a video in which several speech therapists talk about the importance
of developing language and speech in children.

Are the sentences below True or False according to the video?

                                               T / F
 a. Communication is the 21st century life skill.


 b. The pyramid framework shows different levels of communication development.


 c. The first level of the pyramid focuses on non-verbal skills such as eye contact.


 d. 50% of communication is nonverbal (i.e. facial expression, body language, eye contact, tone of
the voice).


 e. The early non-verbal skills are very important for developing speech, language and
communication.


 f. Children start to use simple word and phrases before they understand them.


 g. Speech and development of speech is at the top of the pyramid.









b) Watch the video again and make notes about the levels of language development in children.


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3. Terminology: What speech impairments do you know?




4. Discussing: What situations might be difficult for people with a speech impairment?

Describe the situations in detail to another student. He/she must say why such situations might be
difficult.

Expressing cause and effect:

It is difficult because …

XY happens and as a result there is a problem with …

XY happens, which means …

                                                    Checking understanding:

                                                    Do you know what I mean?

                                                    Does that make sense?

                                                    Do you see?