Communication is an essential way individuals exchange information. Language and speech are two very important and essentially human ways of communicating.
Definitions
Language: symbols organized into patterns to communicate meaning
Speech: mechanical production of language
Speech Disorder: difficulty with the oral production of language. Some examples include articulation disorders (phonological difficulties), fluency disorder (dysfluency), voice disorders and apraxia
Language Disorder: problems receiving information and/or formulating an acceptable and adequate response. Some examples include mutism, aphonia, aphasia, and expressive/receptive disorders.
Prevalence
The prevalence of speech and language problems are difficult to determine because the criteria and definitions of communication disorders vary among researchers. The best current estimates of combined speech and language impairments are 7 to 10 percent of children, although prevalence does vary by age, with many disorders disappearing with age and maturity.
Speech Disorders: Most common in boys, they affect about 10%-15% of preschool children and 6% in elementary and secondary levels. The most common speech disorder is articulation, which accounts for 75% of all disorders.
Language Disorders: Also most common in boys, they affect 2%-3% of preschoolers and 1% of the school aged population.
Etiology
Speech Disorders: often a result of physical problems in a child's larynx, tongue, teeth, palate, lips and resonating cavities. Often developmental, can also be a result of disease or injury.
Language Disorders: accidental brain damage, diseases (encephalitis), medical conditions, lack of early socialization.
By learning how and why Speech and Language Disorders occur and happen, different therapies, treatments, resources and teaching methods can be used to help these children become effective communicators.
Bennett, S., Dworet, D. & Weber, K. (2008). Special Education in Ontario Schools (6th ed.). St.
Davids, Canada: Highland Press, pp. 214-219.
Winzer, M. (2008). Children With Exceptionalities in Canadian Classrooms (8th ed.). Toronto,
Canada: Pearson Prentice Hall, pp. 96-127.
It is an interesting fact that speech disorders, a long with many learning disorders are more common in boys. I wonder if there is a correlation to the fact that many boys mature later than girls. I also question if perhaps there is a connection to the general idea that the elementary school system is designed (in my opinion) for girls and how they learn. Our way of life and school system certainly puts a lot of stress on children and contributes to their sense of anxiety if they do not perform well. Speech & Language disorders are serious and should be investigated as early as possible. I find the possibility of a connection intriguing.
ReplyDeleteIn the past if a child was found to be tongue-tied (which is when the skin directly beneath the tongue extends the full length of the tongue and sometimes limits the ability to lift the tongue very far), doctors routinely cut the skin to free the tongue on a regular basis. Tongue-tied individuals were thought to suffer from greater instances of speech impairment due to the restrictions of movement. This proceedure is a highly uncomfortable and sometimes tramatic process to endure and is often avoided now unless the condition is severe. My son is mildly tongue-tied and I learned these interesting facts from his doctor and dentist.
ReplyDeleteMy youngest son Tristan was born tongue-tied, and I never thought much of it at the time. As he was being checked by the doctor he mentioned that he was tongue-tied and talked about how this could potentially affect him as he grew up. He talked about how his condition could affect him through his life difficulties with feeding (breast feeding), possible difficulties with speech, never being able to lick his lips, or even lick an ice cream cone. He told us that being he was so young that they could do the procedure in the hospital, and it would literally take less than a minute one snip and he would have the ability to do all the things that we take for granted. We opted for the simple procedure, and he had a few seconds of discomfort and it was done. Now after learning about what road he could have gone down and possible struggles with speech I am so glad we had it done right away. And by the way he so enjoys licking an ice cream cone.
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ReplyDeleteWith stuttering being such a common form of dysfluency today, it is important that we provide early and effective intervention for our children. When my daughter was three, she suffered a mild form of this speech problem. With the help of a speech therapist, we never told her to "stop stuttering", but rather, we praised her "smooth talking". I think the word "stutter" has such a negative connotation. No one wants to be called a "stutterer", but who would mind being called a "smooth talker"? I truly believe that early intervention and focusing on the positive helped my daughter - she now speaks very smoothly and also endlessly!
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ReplyDeleteI am glad that my doctor saw that my son had a very difficult time with saying certain words, which the doctor sent us in the right direction to get the help he needed. The speech/language therapist found the mispronounced words and started working with him. She and Tylor were together an hour a week and there was an hour of homework every day at home. I am glad that we caught the problem early because today you would never know he had an issue speaking.
ReplyDeleteI find it intriguing that boys are more prone to speech problems specifically stuttering than girls are. I wonder if there is a connection to the fact that there are differences between boys and girls language and speech abilities when they are first learning to talk. Moreover, girls have the tendancy to be more verbal and use communication as a means for developing social relationships. Regardless of the reason, it is important to seek a speech and language pathologist. With the right help and tools children can overcome some speech disorders.
ReplyDeleteA lot of interesting views!! I certainly find the prevalence of speech problems in males to be intriguing as well. I wonder if there is a gender difference placed on the importance of communication which drives females to strive for understandable speech. In the past, hunter gatherer societies where females relied on communication to cooperate, this certainly would seem to be an adaptive trait that would be genetically preferable. Males seem to communicate physically and more aggressively therefore making a more dominant and physically powerful male an ideal partner/hunter/provider as opposed to one that communicates verbally. Obviously, in today's society, we value speech and communication but genetically we are ill adapted to mutate as quickly as we are progressing.
ReplyDeleteI had a mild stutter for a few years as well. There are still times once in a blue moon when I get caught up on something and I won't be able to say it. It took a lot of work to get over it, of thinking before of what I wanted to say, and if a word was giving me trouble trying to think of another one instead. I didn't realise it was so common, I felt like an outsider at the time.
ReplyDeleteIt must be very difficult for a person to live their life with speech and language impairments. I know watching my son, age 3, that at time he appears frustrated with us when we don’t understand him, and as parents we feel equally as frustrated as we want to understand. My son has learnt to adapt and often will use his hand to help us understand him. I am sure he thinks his parents are just insane and maybe a little slow as I am sure in his head it all seems pretty clear. There was one day we were out and it sounded to me like he was saying “Firefly” we had read a book earlier so it made sense to me. This stranger in line with us, finally tap me on the shoulder and said “I think your son is asking for French Fries” he then proceeded to point out the window to Burger King.
ReplyDeleteWe have done a couple of speech classes, and every time the boys outnumber the girls. What I have learnt from my experience with him is to try and find the topic he is on, it makes it must easier to try and understand what he may be talking about. Knowing this will help me going forward to communicate with other, listen very close and figure out the topic.
my parents have adopted a boy with downs syndrome many years ago and growing up with him we know most of the things he says, of course there is always those few things you can't understand and he gets frustrated with us we can't give or know what he would like or is trying to tell us. It would most definitely be frustrating having it hard for people to not understand you. A good thing we encourage is for him to try and show us what it is he wants or what he is feeling through sign language or trying to show us. His case is a bit different because he is delayed in more areas that just speech but doesn't mean he doesn't feel what its like to be misunderstood.
ReplyDeleteI also find it very odd that speech & language disorders occur in boys more so than girls. Our son Riley had a speech theripst when he first started school because his words were not properly pronounced. It really did help him proceed with his speech, even though it was only once a week. I say as a parent to get the help when their young and don't wait until it's too late. Now today, he has improved so much and no longer needs his speech theripst anymore because his speech is completely clear and understandable. I could not imagine how a 10 yr old child would feel if nobody could understand their speech properly...get the help when it's offered to you, it's worth it :)
ReplyDeleteMy 10 yar old daughter has Autism. When she started school she could barely talk, once we got her the help she needed with a speech therapist and amazing EA's she started to progress and has come a long way. She still has trouble communicating some things and becomes very frusterated. I agree with marg...get the help when it is offered and as early as possible for the child.
ReplyDeleteI am an identical twin so I find it particularly interesting when we discuss genetics and studies amongst identical twins! My twin had a speech lisp growing up. She was teased from other school kids. She would pronounce her r's as w's, her s' as th. She finally got extra help from the speech therapist and in very little time she was speaking properly. I strongly feel if a teacher shows concern than parent's should take the concerns and get the assistance required. The earlier therapy begins, the better prognosis for improved speech, the happier the child will be!:)
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