Services & Therapies
ASHA Definition
A communication disorder is an impairment in the ability to receive, send, process, and comprehend concepts or verbal, nonverbal and graphic symbol systems. A communication disorder may be evident in the processes of hearing, language, and/or speech. A communication disorder may range in severity from mild to profound. It may be developmental or acquired. Individuals may demonstrate one or any combination of communication disorders. A communication disorder may result in a primary disability or it may be secondary to other disabilities”
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (1993). Definitions of communication disorders and variations. Available from www.asha.org).
Articulation Disorder
“The atypical production of speech sounds characterized by substitutions, omissions, additions or distortions that may interfere with intelligibility”
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (1993). Definitions of communication disorders and variations. Available from www.asha.org.
Fluency Disorder
“An interruption in the flow of speaking characterized by atypical rate, rhythm, and repetitions in sounds, syllables, words, and phrases. This may be accompanied by excessive tension, struggle behavior, and secondary mannerisms”
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (1993). Definitions of communication disorders and variations. Available from www.asha.org.
Language Disorder
“Impaired comprehension and/or use of spoken, written and/or other symbol systems. The disorder may involve (1) the form of language (phonology, morphology, syntax), (2) the content of language (semantics), and/or (3) the function of language in communication (pragmatics) in any combination”
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (1993). Definitions of communication disorders and variations. Available from www.asha.org.