COMMUNICATION DISORDERS.BY ALANA POLETTA

&

LAUREN HALL.

DEFINITION.

Speech and Language Disorders Problems in communication & related

areas e.g. oral motor function. Ranges from simple sound substitution

to the inability to understand or use language.

Very broad range including autism spectrum, stuttering, auditory processing disorder.

CHARACTERISTICS.

Socially withdrawn. Difficulty following instructions. Showing frustration or challenging behavior. Substituting words with jargon (made-up

words). Difficulty talking about things in detail. Not initiating or participating in

conversations. Difficulty understanding humour/sarcasm.

TONGUE TWISTERS.

*I am not the pheasant plucker, I’m the pheasant plucker’s mate.I am only plucking pheasants‘cause the pheasant plucker’s late.

*A skunk sat on a stump and thunk the stump stunk, but the stump thunk the skunk stunk.

IMPACT ON STUDENT.

Educational. Occupational. Social. Emotional behavioral. Mental health.

IMPACT ON FAMILY.

Financial burden of intervention. Integration issues with school. Structuring daily routine. Frustration. May find more support and

encouragement from other families in same situation.

IMPACT ON PEERS.

Unable to understand the child. Difficulty interacting. Frustration/impatience/annoyance. Lack of knowledge. On the other hand, peers may be

accepting, more tolerant and more aware of special needs.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TEACHERS.

Language skills are vital for success at school. A child with delayed language may have difficulties:

*Understanding instruction.*Completing school work.*Participation in group discussions.*Behaving.*Taking turns.

WHAT TEACHERS SHOULD FOCUS ON.

Simplify verbal instructions and emphasize key words.

Use visuals. Aim not to ask too many questions. Use gestures to accompany verbal

instruction. Support the child during discussion

times. Provide incentives for completing work.

FACTS.

1 IN 7 Australians has a communication disability. (Speech Pathology Australia, 2008).

Difficulties can arise in 1 or more areas of speech.

577,000 school-aged children have difficulties with language. (Speech Pathology Australia).

This means that there are probably 2 or 3 children in EVERY CLASS with language difficulties.

CONCLUSION.

ALL students with language difficulties can learn, but they may not learn by traditional methods.

The goal is to provide alternatives and tools that these students need to access the curriculum.

Every child is unique and ‘special’ and no label can define or limit the potential for positive change.

REFERENCES.

BabyBumbleBee.com Speech Pathology Australia. 2008. Therapy ACT. Speech Pathology

Resource Pack. 2006. Therapy ACT. Language Impairment. N.d. Therapy ACT. Speech Pathology….Not

Just Speech!! N.d.