What Are Communication Disorders
Communication disorders can affect how a person receives,
sends, processes, and understands concepts. They can also weaken speech and
language skills, or impair the ability to hear and understand messages. There
are many types of communication disorders.
Types of Communication Disorders
Communication disorders are grouped
in several ways. Expressive-language
disorders make speaking difficult. Mixed
receptive-expressive language disorders make both understanding language
and speaking difficult.
Speech disorders affect your voice. They include:
articulation disorder: changing or
substituting words so that messages are harder to understandfluency disorder: speaking with an
irregular rate or rhythm of speech voice disorder: having an abnormal
pitch, volume, or length of speech
Language disorders affect how you use speech or writing. They include:
language form disorders, which
affect:phonology (sounds that make up
language systems)morphology (structure and
construction of words)syntax (how sentences are formed)language content disorders, which affect
semantics (meanings of words and sentences)language function disorders, which
affect pragmatics (use of socially appropriate messages)
Hearing disorders impair the ability to use speech and/or language. A person with a
hearing disorder can be described as deaf of hard of hearing. Deaf people
cannot rely on hearing as a main source of communication. People who are hard
of hearing can make only limited use of hearing when communicating.
Central processing disorders affect how a person analyzes and uses data in auditory
signals.
What Causes Communication Disorders?
In many cases, the causes of
communication disorders are not known.
Communication disorders can be developmental
or acquired conditions. Causes include:
abnormal brain developmentexposure to substance abuse or
toxins before birthcleft lip or palategenetic factorstraumatic brain injuriesneurological disordersstrokestumors in the area used for
communication
Who Is at Risk for Communication Disorders?
Communication disorders are common in children. According to the
National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Diseases (NIDCD), 8 to 9
percent of young children have a speech sound disorder. This rate drops to 5
percent for children in the first grade (NIDCD).
Communication disorders also are common in adults. In the United States,
about 7.5 million people have problems using their voices. In addition, between
6 and 8 million people suffer with some type of language condition (NIDCD).
Patients with brain injuries have a higher risk of getting these
disorders. However, many conditions occur spontaneously. This can include the
onset of aphasia, which is the inability to use or comprehend language. Up to 1
million people in the United States have this condition (NIDCD).
What are the Symptoms of Communication Disorders?
Symptoms depend on the type and cause of the disorder. They
can include:
repetitive
soundsmisuse
of wordsinability
to communicate in an understandable way inability
to comprehend messages
Diagnosing Communication Disorders
An
accurate diagnosis may require the input of several specialists. Family
physicians, neurologists, and speech-language pathologists may administer
tests. Common tests include:
a complete physical examinationpsychometric testing of reasoning and thinking skillsspeech and language testsmagnetic resonance imaging (MRI)computed tomography (CT) scanpsychiatric evaluation
Treating Communication Disorders
Most people with communication disorders benefit from
speech-language therapy. Treatment depends on the type and severity of the
disorder. Underlying causes, such as infections, can be treated first.
For children, itâs best to start treatment as early as
possible. A speech-language pathologist can help patients build existing strengths.
Treatment can involve remedial techniques to improve weak skills. Alternative
forms of communication like sign language can also be learned.
Group therapy can allow patients to test their skills in a
safe environment. Family participation is usually encouraged.
Prognosis
Several factors can limit how much change is possible,
including the cause and degree of the disorder. For children, the combined
support of parents, teachers, and speech and language professionals can be
helpful. For adults, self-motivation can be important.
Prevention
There are no specific ways to prevent communication disorders. Avoiding
known risk factors, such as anything that may cause injury to the brain, may help,
as can lowering your risk of stroke by living a healthy lifestyle.
Many communication disorders occur without known causes.
When communication disorders are suspected in children, they should be identified
as soon as possible (CHOP).
Source: http://www.healthline.com