<< back to LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT topics

Types of communication disorders

If your child has a problem or significant delay with language, speech, or hearing, he might have a communication disorder, which can cause difficulties in learning. These disorders range from simple problems, such as incorrect pronunciation of words to an inability to understand or use language. There are many types of disorders, including:

• articulation problems (inability to say things clearly)
• voice disorders
• stuttering
• aphasia (difficulty in using words)
• speech and language delays

It is estimated that 1 out of every 10 Americans has a communication disorder. These problems can be genetic or result from a learning disability, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, cleft lip, or cleft plate. They might also result from environmental factors or hearing loss. Frequently, however, the cause is unknown.

Educating children with special needs

Children with communication disorders will go through most child development stages, but they may not do it at the same time or same rate, or use the same words as other children. Provide encouragement and support for your child. Although raising a child with special needs may be more difficult, most regular child-raising issues still apply. It is particularly important that you talk and read with your child and provide a loving and comfortable environment for him to learn. When old enough, children with communication disorders can often be kept in mainstream education.

Teamwork among the teachers, parents, speech and language therapists, and audiologists can be used to provide a supportive environment for speech improvement, both in the classroom and at home. The professionals who are helping your child can help you identify the right language milestones for your child.

Resources for more information regarding your child with special needs

There are many web sites and organizations that can help you with your child:

• The Learning Disabilities Association of America is a national, non-profit organization whose purpose is to advance the education and general welfare of children and adults of normal or potentially normal intelligence who manifest disabilities of a perceptual, conceptual, or coordinative nature. Their site can help you find resources and link you to other organizations that work with learning disabilities.
  
  
• The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association web site can help you find a speech pathologist or audiologist for your child, as well as an appropriate summer program. This site also includes tips on early hearing detection and intervention.
  
  
• The ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education has a web site dedicated to links and fact sheets about all kinds of disabilities. It includes several resources on early intervention and educational issues for children with special needs.
  
  
• The Council for Exceptional Children is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the education for exceptional children, including children with all kinds of disabilities. Their web site includes many links to other organizations and helpful tips.
  
  
• The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS) is commited to improving results and outcomes for people with disabilities of all ages. OSERS provides a wide array of support to parents and individuals, school districts and states in three main areas: special education, vocational rehabilitation, and research.
  
  
• IDEA '97: The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997, U.S. Department of Education, provides information about the act and keeps you informed on ways to help your child learn and progress.
  
  
• Idea Practices, a web site produced by Idea Partnerships and funded by the U.S. Department of Education, helps answer your questions about the Individuals With Disabilities Act, keeps you informed about IDEAs that work, and supports your efforts to help all children learn, progress, and realize their dreams.