May is National Better Hearing and Speech Month! May is all about raising awareness about communication disorders and highlighting our awesome speech language pathologists at PediaPlex and all over the country!
May is National Better Hearing and Speech Month, also known as National Speech-Language-Hearing Month! May is all about raising awareness about communication disorders and highlighting our awesome speech language pathologists at PediaPlex and all over the country! Communication disorders are present in children and adults. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 40 million Americans have some sort of communication disorder. Many times, children will start with speech therapy at a young age and continue to work on skills throughout childhood; but, sometimes a communication disorder may go undiagnosed until adulthood.
A communication disorder is a type of disorder that affects an individual’s ability to comprehend, detect, or apply language and speech when communicating with others. There are many types of communication disorders in children and adults. These are the four main types of developmental communication disorders:
An increasing number of children are manifesting communication delays, making early diagnosis and intervention crucial.
Language Disorder- An individual with a language disorder will typically have difficulty understanding words, putting words together to forms sentences or difficulty using the correct words in context. This may impact their understanding of spoken language and their ability to use vocabulary and grammar to communicate appropriately. Language disorders may impact a child’s academic success and can be complex, so it is important to work on all aspects of language and incorporate it into their education as well. A language disorder is typically diagnosed when a child is young but may not be evident until they are in the later primary grades in school and the academic language demands increase significantly. It is important to seek out a speech pathologist when your child is young if they are not meeting their language milestones.
Speech Sound Disorder- A speech sound disorder occurs when an individual has trouble making certain sounds. For example, this may affect the way a child says their “s” or “r” sounds or can be an omission of a certain part of a word. You may have heard this called an articulation or phonological processing disorder. Children often mispronounce sounds when they are young and learning to talk but sometimes these errors do not go away on their own and need a little help. Occasionally, children may exhibit motor planning problems, and this can affect placement of the articulators in their mouth resulting in unusual error patterns.
Fluency Disorder- a fluency disorder is most commonly referred to as stuttering. Stuttering can be a developmental phase that children will go through as they are learning to talk as they combine their thoughts into words. There are a variety of factors that are involved in a fluency disorder persisting beyond certain ages or developing later in childhood. Sometimes the onset of a fluency disorder may occur after a traumatic event, when an individual is anxious or if they have motor planning or breathstream management difficulties. Consistent therapy and collaboration with other professionals and caregivers are always necessary.
Social Communication Disorder- This disorder most commonly refers to how individuals communicate socially. You may have heard it called a pragmatic language disorder as well. Social communication is the use of language in social contexts. It encompasses social interaction, social cognition, pragmatics, and language processing. Social communication skills include the ability to vary speech style, take the perspective of others, and understand and appropriately use the rules for verbal and nonverbal communication.
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders. SLPs work with individuals of all ages, from children to adults, to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of communication disorders.
SLPs use a variety of techniques, including assessment, treatment, and counseling, to help individuals with communication disorders. They may work in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, clinics, and private practices.
Some of the key roles of SLPs include:
Supporting communication development is critical for individuals with communication disorders. There are several ways to support communication development, including:
Parents and caregivers can play a critical role in supporting communication development by:
To start treatment for a suspected communication disorder, you will want to contact a speech language pathologist who can treat speech and other related issues. A speech language pathologist is able to help with any of the above disorders, and even more such as feeding therapy. Speech-language pathologists play a critical role in providing life-altering treatment to individuals with communication disorders. At PediaPlex, we focus on early developmental intervention so that we can assist the family with these concerns at a young age. With consistent therapy and collaboration, we can help your child reach their milestones and be successful. At PediaPlex, we treat children up until the age of 18 and work in close communication with all the child’s community partners and caregivers to help them reach their goals quickly and generalize their skills!
Raising awareness and promoting inclusion are critical for supporting individuals with communication disorders. By raising awareness about communication disorders, we can work to reduce stigma and promote understanding and acceptance.
There are several ways to raise awareness and promote inclusion, including:
By promoting inclusion and raising awareness, we can work to create a more supportive and inclusive environment for individuals with communication disorders.
There are several resources available for parents and caregivers of individuals with communication disorders. Some of these resources include:
Parents and caregivers can also find support and resources through online communities and support groups, such as:
There are many different resources available to celebrate Better Hearing and Speech Month, also known as Speech Language Hearing Month, and help spread awareness. You can download this printable for your child to color and share. You can also update your Facebook/Twitter banners for the month of May. We would love if you shared this blog as well to help educate others about the different communication disorders. Speech therapists play a vital role in helping individuals with communication challenges, from mild delays to complex disorders. If you already receiving speech therapy, make sure to thank your speech pathologist for all of their hard work!
We are so proud of our PediaPlex speech language pathologists and the amazing work that they are doing for our families! Organizations like the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) emphasize the importance of hearing aids in addressing hearing loss during this month.
Raising awareness about the impact of loud noise exposure on hearing health is also a key focus during this observance.
Communication disorders are conditions that affect an individual’s ability to communicate effectively. These disorders can impact an individual’s ability to understand, express, or process language, and can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, brain injury, or developmental delays. Communication disorders can affect individuals of all ages, from children to adults, and can have a significant impact on daily life, social interactions, and overall well-being.
There are several types of communication disorders, including:
Understanding communication disorders is crucial for providing effective treatment and support. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) play a critical role in diagnosing and treating communication disorders, and can work with individuals, families, and caregivers to develop strategies for improving communication skills.
To find out more about speech therapy, check out or speech therapy services give us a call today!
-The PediaPlex Family
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