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Speech Disorders Health Article

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Definition

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), a language disorder is an impairment in comprehension use of the spoken, written, or other symbol system.

Description

Speech disorders affect the language and mechanics, the content of speech, or the function of language in communication. Because speech disorders affect a person's ability to communicate effectively, every aspect of the person's life can be affected, for example, the person's ability to make friends, and to communicate at school or at work.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

ALS patients often die of respiratory failure within three to five years of being diagnosed, although some persons have been known to survive as many as 10 years or longer.

Aphasia

Persons with aphasia can improve and eventually function in more typical public settings, and possibly return to school or work.

Developmental apraxia of speech

With proper treatment, apraxia can be brought under control and the person will be able to function normally as an adult.

Laryngeal cancer

Persons should not engage in smoking or drug abuse to decrease the risk of oral cancer.

Orofacial myofunctional disorders

In cases where the cause is evident, such as allergies or enlarged tonsils, a person should first remedy that problem; perhaps have the tonsils removed and treat allergies with medication.

Stuttering

With proper speech therapy, stuttering can be controlled or eliminated.

BOOKS

Johnson, Alex F., and Barbara H. Jacobson, eds. Medical Speech-Language Pathology: A Practitioner's Guide. New York: Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 1998.

Paul, Rhea. Language Disorders from Infancy through Adolescence. 2nd ed. St. Louis: Mosby, Inc., 2001.

Van Riper, Charles and Robert L. Erickson. Speech Correction, An Introduction to Speech Pathology and Audiology. 9th ed. Needham Heights: Allyn & Bacon, 1996.