Communication disorders | Journey Inward

What are they?

Communication disorders refer to conditions that impair a person’s ability to receive, send, process, and comprehend concepts or verbal, nonverbal and graphic symbol systems. These disorders can involve hearing, speech, language, reading, writing, and gesturing.

Communication disorders can occur during language acquisition in childhood or later when illness, injury or stroke damages language areas of the brain. They range widely in severity, from simple sound substitutions to an inability to understand or use language at all. Treatment varies based on the type and severity of the disorder.

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Types of communication disorders

Here are some examples of communication disorders:

Speech Sound Disorders

Difficulty producing sounds, using sounds incorrectly, or [expander_maker id=”4″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]consistently leaving out or substituting speech sounds.[/expander_maker]

Fluency Disorders

Disruptions in the flow of speech, such as stuttering, repeating [expander_maker id=”4″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]sounds, and prolonging words or sentences.[/expander_maker]

Voice Disorders

Abnormalities in pitch, loudness, quality or resonance of the voice.

Aphasia

Impairment of language ability after brain injury or stroke.[expander_maker id=”4″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”] It can affect speaking, listening, reading, and writing ability.[/expander_maker]

Dysarthria

Weakness or paralysis of the speech muscles caused by [expander_maker id=”4″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]stroke or neurological disease. Slurred, slow speech.[/expander_maker]

Auditory Processing Disorders

Difficulty processing auditory information in the brain[expander_maker id=”4″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”] despite normal hearing ability.[/expander_maker]

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Characterized by impaired communication, difficulty [expander_maker id=”4″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]relating to others, and repetitive behaviours.[/expander_maker]

Selective Mutism

Consistent failure to speak in certain social situations despite[expander_maker id=”4″ more=”Read more” less=”Read less”] the ability to speak normally in other settings.[/expander_maker]

Treatment for communication disorders

Treatment is tailored to each person’s specific communication disorder and challenges. Some examples include:

Speech Therapy

Exercises focus on speech, language, strengthening oral muscles, and learning communication strategies.

Augmentative Communication

Using communication boards, sign language, text-to-speech apps, and other tools to aid expression.

Hearing Aids and Implants

Devices that amplify sound and help process speech.

Medications

Drugs that affect neurotransmitters, muscles, or neural pathways involved in communication.

Surgery

For some cancers or neurological conditions affecting speech areas of the brain.

Behavioral Techniques

Modifying communication environments and using positive reinforcements.

The goal of treatment is to improve the person’s ability to communicate by addressing the underlying disorder. With early intervention and ongoing therapy, communication skills can often be improved significantly. Support from family, teachers and friends also facilitates progress.