Week 2: Communication Disorders Flashcards
What is a communication disorder?
A communication disorder is any condition that affects a person’s ability to
- receive
- send
- process
- or understand verbal
- nonverbal
- or graphic communication.
What are the different types of communication disorders?
Hearing disorders: Impairments in detecting or processing sound
Speech disorders: Difficulties in articulation, fluency, or voice
Language disorders: Problems with understanding or using language
Social communication disorders: Difficulty with non-verbal cues and interaction
What is the difference between a developmental and acquired communication disorder?
Developmental: Present at birth or develops in early childhood (e.g., autism, Down syndrome).
Acquired: Occurs after injury or illness (e.g., stroke, traumatic brain injury).
What are the different types of hearing loss?
Conductive hearing loss: Sound is not conducted efficiently through the outer or middle ear (can often be treated).
Sensorineural hearing loss: Damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve, making sound distorted.
Mixed hearing loss: A combination of both conductive and sensorineural loss.
How can hearing disorders impact communication?
People with hearing impairments may struggle to follow :
- conversations
- misunderstand speech
- rely on lip-reading
- withdraw from social interaction.
What are common types of speech disorders?
Stuttering: Disruptions in speech flow with hesitations, repetitions, or prolongations.
Articulation disorders: Difficulty forming speech sounds correctly (e.g., “wabbit” instead of “rabbit”).
Voice disorders: Issues with pitch, volume, or quality of voice (e.g., hoarseness, breathiness).
What causes speech disorders?
Speech disorders can result from neurological conditions, hearing loss, physical abnormalities (e.g., cleft palate), or muscle weakness.
What are the main types of language disorders?
Expressive language disorder: Difficulty forming and expressing thoughts.
Receptive language disorder: Difficulty understanding what others say.
Mixed expressive-receptive disorder: Struggles with both understanding and expressing language.
What is aphasia?
Aphasia is a language disorder caused by brain damage (usually from a stroke), affecting speech, comprehension, reading, and writing.
What is a social communication disorder?
A condition where a person struggles with using verbal and non-verbal communication in social contexts, including
- eye contact
- facial expressions
- and conversation flow.
What conditions are associated with social communication disorders?
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- ADHD, intellectual disabilities
- and psychological conditions.
How can OTs help individuals with communication disorders?
- developing alternative communication methods
- using assistive technology
- adapting environments to support effective communication.
How can PTs support communication for patients with physical impairments?
- posture
- breath control
- and facial muscle coordination to improve speech production and volume control
How do OTA/PTAs assist in communication therapy?
- They implement therapy plans
- help patients practice communication strategies
- reinforce speech or language exercises prescribed by the OT or PT.
How can therapists communicate with patients who have hearing impairments?
- Face the patient and maintain eye contact.
- Speak clearly without shouting.
- Reduce background noise.
- Use written instructions or visual aids when needed.
How can therapists support patients with speech difficulties?
- Give extra time for responses.
- Use simple, slow, and clear speech.
- Encourage use of gestures or assistive devices.
- Avoid finishing sentences for the patient.
What are the best ways to help patients with social communication disorders?
- Provide clear social expectations and cues.
- Use role-playing exercises to practice conversation skills.
- Give direct and explicit feedback on communication behaviours.
- Encourage turn-taking in conversations.
What types of assistive devices help with hearing loss?
- Hearing aids
- Cochlear implants
- FM systems (microphone-transmitted sound)
- Captioning or text-based communication tools
What are augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices?
help people with speech difficulties communicate through:
- pictures
- text-to-speech programs
- symbol boards
- electronic speech-generating devices.
How can visual supports improve communication?
Visual schedules, pictures, and symbol boards help patients:
- understand information
- make choices
- express themselves more easily.
What are the four communication disorders?
Speech
Language
Hearing disorder
Social communication disorder
What are the types of speech disorders?
Stuttering, fluency, voice, articulation
What are the two main language disorder?
- Delayed language
- Aphasia
What is oral motor disorders?
Difficulties with the movement and coordination of the muscles in the lips , jaw, tongue and cheeks.
