Types of Disabilities: Speech and Language Disabilities

Question 1

Speech Disabilities

Answer 1

Characterized by the inability to produce or organize speech sounds and syllables correctly or with fluency. There may be a total loss of voice.

Question 2

Causes of speech disability

Answer 2

1. Genetic
2. Learning disabilities
3. Auditory disabilities
4. Autism
5. Traumatic brain injury
6. Stroke
7. Cancer (oral or laryngeal)
8. Structural problems (eg. cleft lip palate)

Question 3

Stuttering

Answer 3

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 4

Cluttering

Answer 4

A disability that affects the fluency of speech. Rapid speech that may be inconsistent in rhythm and lack syntax or grammar. Speech may be clear at first, but increases at a quick rate. Slurred speech may also occur.

Question 5

Apraxia

Answer 5

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 6

Aphasia

Answer 6

Results from brain injury (most commonly from stroke) and affects all use of language–the production or comprehension of speech and the ability to read or write.

Question 7

Dysarthria

Answer 7

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 8

Speech sound disorders

Answer 8

Disorders where certain sounds of speech may be difficult to produce, specifically consonant sounds. They are generally categorized as articulation disorders or phonemic disorders.

Question 9

Articulation disorders

Answer 9

Involve difficulty in physically producing speech sounds.

Question 10

Phonemic disorders

Answer 10

Involve difficulty in distinguishing speech sounds in languages. Only a few sounds may be used, thus affecting word meaning. Eg. “call” and “tall” may both be pronounced as “tall,” even though the person may be attempting to use the word “call” and its meaning in their statement.

Question 11

Muteness (mutism)

Answer 11

The complete inability to produce a speaking voice. Neurogenic mutism is caused by brain injury; psychogenic mutism is caused by psychological issues.

Question 12

3 types of psychogenic mutism

Answer 12

1. Elective mutism: a person chooses not to speak.
2. Selective mutism: a person wants to speak but can’t always do so due to anxiety.
3. Total mutism: a person does not speak at all.

Question 13

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Answer 13

All of the different types of communication outside of oral speech that people with speech disabilities can use. Includes unaided AAC and aided AAC.

Question 14

Unaided AAC

Answer 14

AAC that does not rely on the use of external tools, but on nonverbal communication like body language, facial expressions, gestures, and sign language.

Question 15

Aided AAC

Answer 15

AAC that relies on the u se of an electronic or non-electronic tool and the person’s body. Eg. communication books and boards, pen and paper, electronic devices that produce computer-generated voices.

Question 16

Low-tech communication aids

Answer 16

Communication aids that do not require electricity.

Question 17

High-tech communication aids

Answer 17

Communication aids that require electricity. They often allow people to store and retrieve messages.

Question 18

Web AT for speech disabilities

Answer 18

1. Touch screens
2. Alternative keyboards
3. Single switch devices
4. Eye-tracking technologies
5. Speech-generating software
6. Word prediction software
7. Symbol boards and languages
8. Symbol software
9. Translation software

Question 19

ICT Challenge: May be unable to communicate with voice-based technology tools like virtual meetings.

Answer 19

Solution: Provide text-based solutions such as chat, email, and forms.

Question 20

ICT Challenge: May have another disability that could be one or more of the following: hearing loss, difficulty with fine motor movements, processing information, or visual impairments.

Answer 20

Solutions:
1. Ensure that all digital content is compatible with several assistive technologies such as screen readers.
2. Provide captions and transcripts for video and audio materials.
3. Check that digital content is keyboard accessible.
4. Present information in multiple formats to assist with information processing.

Question 21

Architecture and Built Environment Challenge: May be a wheelchair user, or may have difficulty using hands or arms.

Answer 21

Solutions: Same solutions for motor disabilities.

Question 22

General Challenge: Difficulty with producing speech sounds.

Answer 22

Solutions:
1. May use low tech AAC such as communication boards or gestures to supplement speech.
2. May use high tech AAC such as computer-generated voices to replace speech.
3. Be patient and give people time to communicate thoughts; ask for clarification if necessary.

Question 23

General Challenge: Complex communication systems may be ineffective.

Answer 23

Solution: Provide simplified communication methods, including multiple options.

Question 24

General Challenge: Not enough time allowed for communication, accessing information, or rsponding.

Answer 24

Solution: Ensure enough time is provided and people are not rushed.