Speech and Language Impairment

Speech and Language Impairment — Speech impairment may influence speech in a general way or only certain aspects of it, such as fluency or voice volume. Language impairment may be associated with a more general intellectual impairment.

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Language impairment — An impairment in the ability to understand and/or use words in context, both verbally and non-verbally. Some characteristics of language impairment include improper use of words and their meanings, inability to express ideas, inappropriate grammatical patterns, reduced vocabulary and inability to follow directions. One or a combination of these characteristics may occur those who are affected by language learning disabilities or developmental language delay. The person may hear or see a word but not be able to understand its meaning. They may have trouble getting others to understand what they are trying to communicate.

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Non-Verbal — Persons who cannot communicate through the use of voice. Persons who are non-verbal must communicate through Augmentative or Alternative Communication Devices.

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Speech and Language Impairment (all types) —

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Speech impairment — The impairment of speech articulation, voice, fluency, or the impairment language comprehension and/oral expression or the impairment of the use of a spoken or other symbol system. Might be characterized by an interruption in the flow or rhythm of speech, such as stuttering, which is called dysfluency. Speech disorders may be problems with the way sounds are formed, called articulation or phonological disorders, or they may be difficulties with the pitch, volume or quality of the voice. There may be a combination of several problems. People with speech disorders have trouble using some speech sounds, which can also be a symptom of a delay. They may say see when they mean ski or they may have trouble using other sounds like l or r. Listeners may have trouble understanding what someone with a speech disorder is trying to say. People with voice disorders may have trouble with the way their voices sound.