What is a Speech Language Pathologist?

Articulation is the fine motor movements of the mouth, tongue, and lips that work together to make sounds to produce words (The sounds s-p-a-c-e when put together make the word "space."). When this is delayed or compromised this indicates deficits of the neural networks for fine motor movement of the oral/facial system.  Some examples might be:

1. substituting one sound for another (e.g. "date" for "gate")
2. deleting a sound (e.g. "poon" for "spoon")
3. deleting a syllable (e.g. "disaur" for "dinosaur")
4. incorrectly producing a sound (e.g. "wun" for "run")

As the child ages his/her reflexes integrate, resulting in increased control of the intra-oral muscles used to produce clear speech.  However, if these skills (reflexes) are not developed (integrated) properly their intra-oral skills are gained by compensation resulting in incorrect speech sounds.

Speech Sound Development Chart 

Stuttering is a disturbance in the flow of speaking which can result in: repetitions (sounds, syllables, words, phrases), sound prolongations, blocks, interjections, and revisions.  However, stuttering can also result from negative feelings and/or tension.  The presence of any one or several can dictate to whom and when you talk. (AHSA.org)

A  Language Disorder is characterized by difficulty in use and/or understanding of language.  A language disorder may occur with the following disabilities:

• autism spectrum disorder (ASD),
• intellectual disabilities (ID),
• developmental disabilities (DD),
• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),
• traumatic brain injury (TBI),
• psychological/emotional disorders,
• hearing loss.

Having a language disorder can be an indicator of a learning disability, as the prior is typically diagnosed first with academics frequently impacted. A language disorder often produces struggles in learning to read and write.(ASHA.org)

Language Disorders may also occur in the following populations:

• Infants
• Teenagers
• Adults
• Geriatrics

More information coming soon...

More information coming soon...

More information coming soon...