1. Overview of speech & language
Outline: Lecture 4 [Oct. 7, 2003] Children with Speech & Language Differences
Overview of speech & language
Elements of language
Speech mechanism
Theories of language development
Speech & language development
Communication disorders
Classification of language & speech disorders
Etiology
Assessment
Developmental consequences
Interventions

2. Elements of Language Basic components of language
Phonology
Articulation
Morphology
Syntax
Semantics
Pragmatics
Communication, speech, and language

3. Communication
The exchange of ideas, thoughts, and feelings

4. The Speech Mechanism See Figure 4-1 in text
Physical structures:
Lips, Tongue, Teeth, Jaw
Nasal cavity
Pharynx, larynx
Physiological processes
Vocalization
Articulation
Modulation

5. Theories of Language Development
Behavioural Approach
Social Learning Approach
Cognitive &Biological Approaches
Piaget
Noam Chomsky [Language Acquisition Device]

6. Speech & Language Development
Prelinguistic Period
Newborn: Vocalizations: cry, burp, cough
3-8 wks: Cooing – clear vowel sounds
3-6 mo: Babbling – vowel & consonant sounds
9-10 mo: Canonical babbling – correct inflection
One-word stage [around 12 mo.]
Holophrases – one word stands for whole idea
Two-word stage [18-24 mo.]
Telegraphic speech – no articles, prepositions, pronouns
Preschool period
Acquire grammatical morphemes in a sequence

7. Communication Disorders: Language vs Speech Problems
Language Problems
difficulties with the linguistic code, or with the rules for linking the symbols and the symbol sequences
Speech Problems
problems in the oral production of language

8. Specific Language Disorders [SLD] [DSM-IV]
Phonological
Failure to use age-appropriate speech sounds
Expressive
Limited vocabulary, short sentences
Receptive-Expressive
Cannot understand speech - most severe of the language disorders

9. Language Problems
Language Delay: severe lag but follows normal progression
Language Disorder: impaired comprehension and poor verbal expression
primary: no other contributing condition
secondary: other disabling conditions present
Aphasia: inability to communicate effectively with verbal language because of comprehension and/or expression difficulties
developmental vs acquired aphasia

10. Etiology of Language Problems
Brain dysfunction
Broca’s area
Wernicke’s area
Brain lateralization
Psychological problems
Disruptions in early social interactions

11. SLD: Underlying psychological deficits [Bishop,1992]
Six hypotheses to explain developmental language disorders:
[1] defects in output of speech
[2] deficits in auditory perception
[3] lack specific brain module
[4] higher level conceptual deficit
[5] deficit in learning processes
[6] limited capacity to process information

12. Speech Problems Phonological & Articulation Problems:
Phonological: does not know how to use speech sounds
Articulation: unable to make speech sounds
Voice Disorders: hoarseness, loudness, pitch
Speech Flow Problems [dysfluency]: impaired fluency and rhythm
Stuttering
Cluttering

13. Speech Problems [cont’d]
Muscle Control Problems:
Dysarthria: paralysis of muscles associated with speech
Apraxia: unable to program, position, sequence muscle movements
Orofacial Defects: e.g. cleft palate
Mutism: total absence of speech
Aphonia: no voice

14. Etiology of Speech Problems
Structural defects
Nervous system damage
Biological, Biochemical, or Genetic factors

15. Developmental Consequences
Almost every aspect of functioning is hindered.
Cognitive development
Academic achievement
Social & emotional development

16. Assessment of Language & Speech Problems
Multidisciplinary approach
Interview with family
Measures of cognitive ability & achievement
Formal evaluation of language abilities & disabilities
Informal assessment of child’s language

17. Interventions Medical intervention Therapy Technical intervention
Surgical repair of orofacial defects
Therapy
Speech therapy
psychotherapy
Technical intervention
Computers
Augmentative communication
Educational intervention
Inclusion
Educational approaches