Articulation/Phonology (speech sound production)
• Oral motor skills, childhood apraxia
• Normal developmental milestones in speech
• Is my child on ‘target’ in the area of speech skills?
• I can understand my child, but others cannot!

Example: Saying the “w” sound for the “r” sound


Language
• Receptive Language (understanding language)
• Expressive Language (using language)
• Pragmatic/Social Skills (turn-taking, limited eye contact, staying on one topic)
• Normal developmental milestones in language
• Including but are not limited to syntax (word order), morphology (using verbs correctly), pragmatics (social skills), semantics (word meaning).

Example: Are my child’s language skills on target?


Alternative/Augmentative Communication
• Sign language (signed English, ASL)
• Dynavox, Picture Exchange Communication System

Example: My child is 3 and is not talking. What next?


Voice
• Hypernasality- all speech sounds have a nasal aspect.
• Hyponasality- difficulty with production of the m,n, -ing sounds
• Harsh/hoarse voice
• Lack of voice

Example: “I have a student who has a hoarse voice all the time. I am concerned. What do I do next? Some days are better than others”.


Fluency
• Stuttering/dysfluency
• Normal fluency/abnormal fluency (smooth speech, lack of hesitations or repetitions in speaking)
• Secondary characteristics (eye blinking, using gestures while trying to get sounds out, “blocking”)

Example: “My child is 2 years old and is starting to “stutter”. What is going on?”


Feeding and Swallowing
• Difficulty with swallowing certain foods or consistencies.
• Patterns of chewing
• Problems with drooling, pocketing of food in the cheeks

Example: “Why does my child cough and choke during mealtimes?”


Audiology/Hearing Disorders
• Conductive loss- “failure of sound pressure waves to reach the cochlea” problem is found in the middle or outer ear.

Example: Wax, middle ear fluid.

• Sensorineural loss- due to a condition along the nerve pathway.
• Auditory Processing Disorder –there are many types.

Example: “Why can’t my child follow simple directions?”


Autism/PDD
• Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
• Different therapies used for children with ASD.

Example: “Does my child display characteristics of Autism”?



Lucille, N., Harryman, E., Kresheck, J., (1996) Terminology of Communication Disorders.: Speech-Language-Hearing, Fourth Edition. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins.