Speech and Language difficulties fall under communication disorders as defined under the "special education" umbrella.
Speech Disorders Defined
A student who has difficulty with oral production of language.
Characteristics of Speech Disorders
* impairments of voice
* difficulty with articulation of sound
* phonological difficulties
* difficulty with fluency
Language Disorders Defined
Language disorders refer to the range of difficulties with linguistic codes and rules for symbols and sequence.
Characteristics of Language Disorders
* difficulties with receptive language* difficulties with expressive language
Recommended by Alison:
Leys Geddes YouTube video: 'Stammering is no joke'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-epHaW8nTJQ
Also, look at the website www.stammering.org
for other great information about dysfluency. 
As a kid in Holland, I was used to the odd kid who stuttered. Here in Canada, I have never come across a person with a stutter, not among my own age group, nor among my kid's peers.
ReplyDeleteIs that just a coincidence, or is there a reason for it.
Coincidence I think. I have not come across any particular environmental reason based on language spoken or ethnic background.
ReplyDeleteMy son has tongue tie. Our family physician says they rarely do surgery anymore because he will be able to train his own tongue. He has been to a speech pathologist two years on row now, recommended by his teachers. They also say he is fine and he can eventually train himself. Will he still have problems in the future or will he be able to re-train his tongue??
ReplyDeleteMy son was born with a tongue-tie as well. His was clipped by the doctor when he was still in the hospital (no surgery). Afterwards he was able to move his tongue about and eat, and it has never been an issue for him. However, I also know people whose children did not receive the "clip" for the tongue-tie and their children have not had any difficulties. I would assume he will be able to train (as they say) his tongue to make the movements needed for correct speech. The doctors must have felt it was not severe enough to affect him in the long run. I just wonder, though, why the tongue ties aren't all clipped at birth when noticed? It was so quick and painless and seems to avert any future problems with eating and speaking.
DeleteMy brother was born with a speech impediment and couldnt pronounce his r or l sounds. He would pronounce my name laura, as wawa. He would get frustrated with himself when he struggled with his words. After he was diagnosed he began speech therapy and eventually was able to communicate all his letters clearly.
DeleteSo interesting to hear the struggles that families have with speech. My oldest child was having difficulties with speech and we went to wee talk for an assessment, and he was checked out with his school. Our doctor used the 'wait and see' approach. He still has some difficulties now that he is 7 but only when flustered or over excited. We modelled words for him but never corrected. Just this year he was released from the school speech and language because his last assessment showed him at age level appropriatness. It is so interesting to read a letter with technical terms that I now understand. The one thing that I have really learned in the last few weeks is how different and special every child is.
ReplyDeleteI think that speech and language differences are ones that most of us can find immediate examples to support our understanding. Knowing the developmental sequence is helpful. Also, using lots of language in day to day interactions gives children with speech and language difficulties a chance to practice without the pressure of 'therapy'. It is a fine line between adding to the problem by creating a big deal about the area of difficulty and the wait and see attitude so prevalent amongst family doctors. The blog group has offered many fun ways to add speech and language into daily family time. Good job ladies!
ReplyDeleteAs a preschooler, my son had speech therapy for one block of nine weeks and was expected to need more. While waiting for the reassessment for the next block of therapy, we discovered the Dr. Seuss books and other books written in similar style. He loved them. By the time he went for his second assessment, he had progressed so much he didn't need therapy anymore. He just loved all the silly rhyming words and didn't mind hearing and trying to say them over and over again. Even now, he still would like to have his own library of all the Dr. Seuss books he used to love.
ReplyDeleteGreat recommendation. Every teacher, parent and educational assistant must acquire all of the Dr. Seuss books. They are great for so many reasons, not the least of which is the way they can be used with children with speech differences. The same is true with tongue twisters which is a strategy recommended by this blog team under differentiated instruction.
ReplyDelete