Speech Disabilities

Question 1

Define “stuttering”

Answer 1

Stuttering is a speech disability that affects the fluency of speech sounds. Words or parts of words may be involuntarily repeated, speech sounds may be prolonged, or speech sounds may be stopped or blocked completely

Question 2

Define “cluttering”

Answer 2

Cluttering is a disability that affects the fluency of speech.

Cluttering consists of rapid speech that may be inconsistent in rhythm or lack syntax, or grammar.

Speech may be clear at first but increases at a quick rate. Slurred speech may also occur.

Question 3

Define “apraxia”

Answer 3

Apraxia is a motor speech disability that occurs when a person has difficulty using muscles for speech production to form sounds of words. It may take a person several attempts to say the correct word.

Question 4

Define “dysarthria”

Answer 4

Dysarthria is a motor speech disability that occurs due to brain damage. The muscles for speech production are impaired, causing slurred speech, slow speech, mumbling, or a voice that may sound hoarse or breathy.

Question 5

Name and describe the two categories of speech sound disorders

Answer 5

1. Articulation disorders - involve difficulty in physically producing speech sounds. As a result, certain speech sounds may be omitted or added, substituted for other sounds, or the sound is distorted.
2. Phonemic disorders involve difficulty in distinguishing speech sounds in language. Only a few sounds may be used, which could affect word meaning (e.g. call vs. tall)

Question 6

Define “mutism”

Answer 6

The complete inability to produce a speaking voice

Question 7

List seven different possible causes of speech disabilities

Answer 7

1. Genetics
2. Learning disabilities
3. Auditory disabilities
4. Autism spectrum disorder
5. TBI
6. Stroke
7. Cancer (oral or laryngeal)

Question 8

Name a best practice for users with speech disabilities who may not be able to communicate with voice-based technology tools like virtual meetings

Answer 8

Provide text based alternative forms of communication, like chat or email

Question 9

List three best practices for users who have difficulty producing speech sounds

Answer 9

1. Low tech - communication boards or gestures to supplement speech
2. High tech - computer generated voices to replace speech
3. Be patient and give people time to communicate their thoughts. Ask for clarification when necessary

Question 10

What does the acronym AAC stand for, and what is it?

Answer 10

AAC = Augmentative and Alternative Communication - includes all the different types of communication outside of oral speech that can be used by people with speech disabilities to express themselves

Question 11

List some examples of unaided AAC

Answer 11

body language, facial expressions, gestures, sign language

Question 12

List some examples of aided AAC

Answer 12

communication books and boards, pen and paper, electronic devices that produce computer-generated voices