Speech Disorder

Speech is the communication / expression of thoughts and feelings in spoken words. A disorder affecting an individuals ability to produce normal speech is referred to as a speech disorder. A speech disorder may affect articulation (Phonetic / Phonological) Fluency ( Stuttering / Cluttering ) and or voice (tone, pitch, volume / speed)

According to American speech language hearing Association (ASHA), a language disorder is an impairment in comprehension of the use of spoken, written or other symbol system.

Reasons for speech and language disorder: Known cause

Language delay is when a child’s language is developing in the right sequence, but at a slower rate. Speech and language disorder describes abnormal language development.

Lack of communication skills and difficulty with social interaction.

Unable to produce a particular sound. Hence it is difficult to understand the speech of people with articulation problems

Disorder seen in children due to developmental disorders like autism, down syndrome etc

People with cluttering speeks very fastly and it is very difficult to understand their speech. Cluttering thus effects the fluency of speech

Caused due to any injury to the brain. Apraxic patients have difficulty in expressing consistently and correctly. This can be of two types:

Physically unable to produce sounds like ‘c, t’ with the use of tongue, teeth, lips, palate, facial muscles and nerves.Usually a person with phonemic disorder substitute one sound for the other.

This is characterized by academic functioning that is below a person’s chronological age, measured intelligence and appropriate education.

Significantly sub average intellectual functioning (IQ 70/below) with onset before 18 years and deficits in adaptive behavior ( communication, self care, social skills, etc.)

Neurological disorder due to developmental defects in the brain during infancy / early childhood.