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Block 3 Unit 4 Language and Speech Disorders

1. What is the difference between a language disorder and a speech disorder?

• A language disorder involves problems with the processing of linguistic information. This can include difficulties with grammar (syntax and morphology), semantics (meaning), or other aspects of language, affecting both understanding and production. It is rule based and encompasses communication etiquette, such as talking out of turn.
• A speech disorder involves difficulty with the physical act of speech production, such as problems with voice, articulation, or fluency, but not with the underlying language itself.

2. What is a language-based learning disability?

Language-based learning disabilities are problems with age-appropriate reading, spelling, and/or writing. Individuals with these disabilities typically have average to superior intelligence, but struggle with language processing. Dyslexia is a specific learning problem related to reading.

3. What are some examples of language disorders?

Examples of language disorders include aphasia, autism, learning disabilities, Alzheimer's disease, specific language impairment, developmental phonological disorders, and dyspraxia.

4. What are some examples of speech disorders?

Examples of speech disorders include voice disorders, speech sound disorders, fluency disorders, apraxia of speech, dysprosody, and dysarthria.

5. Why is it important to distinguish between a speech disorder and a cultural communication difference?

It's essential to distinguish between genuine speech disorders and cultural tendencies, as what may be considered disordered in one culture may be acceptable in another. For example, some cultures may favour verbal hesitancy or ambiguity, which should not be confused with a fluency disorder.

6. Compare and contrast the speech errors made by individuals in different speech disorders.

• Voice Disorders: Individuals may exhibit abnormalities in pitch, volume, vocal quality, resonance, or duration of sounds.
• Speech Sound Disorders/Articulation Disorders: These involve problems producing speech sounds, such as substitutions, omissions, distortions or additions of sounds.
• Fluency Disorders: These disorders cause an impairment in the normal rate or rhythm of speech, such as stuttering.
• Apraxia of Speech: This disorder affects the ability to plan and sequence the movements needed for speech production, resulting in inconsistent errors.
• Dysprosody: This disorder affects the rhythm, stress, and intonation of speech, making it sound unnatural or monotone.
• Dysarthria: This disorder affects the muscles used for speech production, causing slow, slurred, or imprecise speech.

7. Based on the discussion of language disorders in this chapter, make a worksheet of different kinds of language disorders and their symptoms and causes.

• Aphasia:
  • Symptoms: Difficulty understanding or producing language, often following brain damage (such as a stroke). Difficulty with speech, reading, writing, or comprehension.
  • Causes: Brain damage, typically from a stroke or head injury.
• Autism:
  • Symptoms: Difficulties with social communication and interaction, repetitive behaviors, and limited interests. May exhibit echolalia or difficulty understanding non-literal language.
  • Causes: Complex causes including genetic factors and differences in brain development.
• Learning Disabilities (including Dyslexia):
  • Symptoms: Problems with reading, spelling, and writing despite normal intelligence. Difficulty translating written symbols into language or vice versa.
  • Causes: Impairment in the brain's ability to process language, not due to lack of intelligence or brain damage.
• Alzheimer's Disease:
  • Symptoms: Progressive decline in language, memory, and other cognitive abilities. Problems with word finding, understanding language, and producing coherent speech.
  • Causes: Progressive, irreversible damage to brain regions.
• Specific Language Impairment (SLI):
  • Symptoms: Difficulties with language development despite normal intelligence and no other underlying condition. Difficulties using and understanding language.
  • Causes: Likely genetic or neurological factors that affect language processing.
• Developmental Phonological Disorders:
  • Symptoms: Difficulties learning the sound system of language; for example, errors in pronouncing certain speech sounds that are not typical of developmental patterns.
  • Causes: Various factors including genetics, hearing problems, and speech motor difficulties.
• Dyspraxia:
  • Symptoms: Difficulties with motor coordination needed for speech production; for example, speech production errors and inconsistent articulation.
  • Causes: Neurological difficulties affecting the planning and execution of movements.

8. What do brain disorders like Broca's and Wernicke's aphasias tell us about how a healthy brain processes phonological, syntactic, and semantic information?

• While the source material doesn't explicitly detail Broca's and Wernicke's aphasias, the following can be inferred:
  • Broca's Aphasia: Generally affects language production and grammar. It might suggest that this region is crucial for the planning and execution of speech and syntax.
  • Wernicke's Aphasia: Generally affects language comprehension and semantics. It might suggest this region is important for understanding the meaning of words and sentences.
• These disorders indicate that different brain areas are responsible for different aspects of language processing.

9. How can cultural factors affect language development of the children? Explain with examples, how?

• The sources do not directly discuss how cultural factors affect language development, but they do indicate that communication etiquette is considered a language disorder.
• Based on broader information in the field of linguistics, one may infer that cultural factors can affect language development in a number of ways, such as:
  • Language Exposure: The language(s) children are exposed to from birth shapes their linguistic development.
  • Interaction Styles: Different cultures have different styles of interaction with children. Some cultures may promote more child-directed speech, while others may not.
  • Social Norms: Different cultures have different norms around communication which can impact language use; for example some cultures might favour direct versus indirect communication styles.

10. What are several major features of speech sound disorder?

• Speech sound disorders, also known as articulation disorders, are characterised by problems with the production of speech sounds.
• Features include:
  • Substitutions: Replacing one sound with another (e.g., "wabbit" for "rabbit").
  • Omissions: Leaving out sounds (e.g., "ca" for "cat").
  • Distortions: Producing sounds inaccurately (e.g., a lisp on /s/ and /z/).
  • Additions: Adding extra sounds to words (e.g., "buh-lue" for "blue").