Republic of the Philippines

PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Graduate School
Urdaneta City Campus
Course Code: SPED 211
Course Title: Introduction to Special Education
Discussant: Katherine F. Tan

COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
What is Communication?

Communication is the process by which one individual expresses ideas,

feelings, opinions, or messages to others and receives and understands
ideas, feelings, opinions, or messages from others.
Language is a rule-governed system of arbitrary symbols that stand for
meaning.
Speech is the physical production of that system.

Speech and Language Disorders

Speech Disorder Difficulty producing sounds, as well as disorders of

voice quality.
*Example: Stuttering
Receptive Language Disorder Difficulty comprehending what is said.
Expressive Disorder - Difficulty using spoken language.

Components of Communication Disorders

Communication
Disorders

Speech
Impairments

Articulation
disorders

Fluency
disorders

Language
Impairments

Voice
disorders

Causes of Communication Disorders

Speech Impairments
Cleft palate
Speech muscles
Teeth
Traumatic brain injury

Language Disorders
Mental retardation
Hearing impairments
Environmental deprivation

Receptive
Language
disorder

Expressive
Language
disorder

Prevalence of Communication Disorders

2% of all school-aged children

More prevalent in males
50% of children in special education

Typical Development
Five

Components to Language System

Phonology The use of sounds to make meaningful syllables & sounds.
Morphology The system that governs the structure of words.
Syntax Rules for putting together a series of words to form sentences.
Semantics The meaning of what is expressed.
Pragmatics The use of communication in context.
Five Components to Language System

Speech Disorders

Includes disorders of articulation, voice and fluency.

Articulation Disorders

Most common disorder among the youngest students.

Substitutions
Omissions
Additions

Distortions Not producing a phoneme correctly. Often a lisp.

Speech Apraxia The brain knows what it wants to say, but cant deliver the
message to the mouth.
Voice Disorders
Pitch
Intensity
Resonance
Fluency Disorder
Fluency The rate and rhythm of speaking.
Language Impairments

Phonology - Unable to differentiate between sounds.

Morphology - Trouble with the structure of words.
Syntax Trouble constructing a sentence.
Semantics Relates to the meaning of a sentence.
Pragmatics Social use of language.

Evaluating Students with Communication Disorders

Determining the Presence of Communication Disorders
1. Observation

Parents & Teachers

*Child has difficulty utilizing & comprehending language.
*Child has difficulties with speaking clearly.
Medical Personnel
*Child not achieving developmental milestones
related to communication skills.
*Change in communication skills.
2. Screening (Also described as an Intervention by many school districts)

Classroom Work -- Child may be afraid to participate verbally in

class due to disability. Written work may be safer form of
expression.
Vision Screening -- Limited vision may impact communication
skills.
Hearing Screening -- Child may have hearing loss or history of
inner ear infection.

3. Language Assessments
*Focus on phonology, semantics, syntax and overall expressive/receptive
language.
*SLP observes child in different environments and with different people
including friends, teachers, classmates.
Accommodations in the Classroom
Presentation
Do adaptations need to be made to instruction & materials?
*Keep a slow paced delivery & speak clearly (If needed, allow students to tape
the lecture on a recorder.)
*Provide step by step directions
*Use visual support to help the student
understand (gestures, pictures, printed
handouts, graphic organizers)
*Stay well-organized. Dont rush transitions to
new topics & activities
The Importance of Graphic Organizers

During a lecture, they provide a visual representation and can be used as a

reference during discussions later on.
During reading, they help guide organization and make great study guides.
Visually links together groups of important information for the students!

Assistive Technology
Alternative Vs. Augmentative
Low tech Vs. Hi Tech

Portable Communication Devices (Go talk systems, Iphone/Ipad Apps.)

Graphic Organizers
Communication Message Boards
Communication Bracelets
Picture Books/Boards

ELL Students with Communication Disorders

Use pictures as often as possible, visual images are much easier to
understand than audio.

Collaborate with the ESL teachers, SLPs & parents on objectives and goals.

Consider the cultural and linguistic factors that affect delivery.

Encourage Peer Buddies and class interactions.

References:
Heward, W. (2003). Exceptional children: An introduction to special
education (7th ed.). New Jersey: Johnston.
Kid Source Online. (2000, August). Info about speech & language disorders.
Retrieved April 24, 2005, from http://www.kidsource.com/NICHCY/speech.html
Owens, R. (2005). Language development: An introduction (6th ed.). New
York: Dragin.