Characteristics of Speech and Language Disorders

This course will begin by exploring the normal development of articulation and language skills. Beginning with the birth cry, language acquisition will be traced through childhood. Various speech/language disorders encountered in the school setting, as well as in clinical environments, will be investigated. The following areas will be addressed: articulation disorders, language disorders, cleft palate, stuttering, and voice disorders. General remediation principles will be presented, as well as an overview of the speech/language profession today.

Topics and Objectives

Philosophical, Historical, Educational, and Legal Foundations of Speech-Language Pathology

• Summarize the history of speech-language pathology.
• Examine the educational criteria of a speech-language pathologist.
• Analyze the laws, regulations, and policies related to speech-language pathology.
• Describe the components of communication.
• Compare and contrast language content, form, and use.
• Differentiate between normal and abnormal communication.
• Distinguish the difference between syntax, morphology, phonology, and semantics.
• Examine the difference between receptive versus expressive language versus speech production.

Developmental Stages of Learners

• Analyze the development of language from the toddler stage through the preschool, school-age, and adult stages.
• Describe the stages of speech development.

Characteristics of Articulation and Phonological Disorders

• Identify the components of anatomy and physiology needed for speech.
• Compare and contrast articulation and phonological disorders.

Characteristics of Language Disabilities

• Identify the characteristics exhibited by learners with various types of language disabilities.

Characteristics of Stuttering

• Examine the development of stuttering.

Characteristics of Voice Disorders

• Examine the deviances in loudness, pitch, and quality associated with voice disorders.

Characteristics of Low-Incidence Populations

• Examine the characteristics of learners with various types of syndromes.

Techniques of Special Concern

• Examine the components of alternative augmentative communication.

Characteristics of Hearing Loss

• Examine the anatomy and physiology necessary for normal hearing.
• Compare and contrast the various types of hearing loss.
• Examine the effects of middle ear infections on children.
• Compare and contrast methods of providing education for hearing impaired children.

Assessment, Diagnosis, and Evaluation

• Analyze procedures in diagnosing communication disorders.

Planning and Managing the Teaching and Learning Environment

• Generate specific accommodations, modifications, and adaptations for students with speech-language disorders.

Managing Student Behavior and Social Interaction Skills

• Examine behavior management strategies for children with communication disorders.
• Determine ways to facilitate social skills of children with communication disorders.

Communication and Collaborative Practices

• Determine ways to facilitate collaboration between the school speech-language pathologist and the classroom teacher.