Types of Communication Disorders

 

Articulation disorders: Difficulties with the way sounds are formed and strung together, usually characterized by substituting one sound for another ("wabbit" for "rabbit"), omitting a sound ("han" for "hand") or distorting a sound ("ship" for "sip").

 

Fluency/Stuttering: A interruption in the flow or rhythm of speech characterized by hesitations, repetitions or prolongations of sound, syllables, words or phrases.

Voice disorders: Characterized by inappropriate pitch (too high, too low, never changing or interrupted by breaks); loudness (too loud or not loud enough); or quality (harsh, hoarse, breathy or nasal).

Delayed language: Characterized by a marked slowness in the development of the vocabulary and grammar necessary for expressing and understanding thoughts and ideas.

 

Language-based learning disabilities: interfere with age-appropriate reading, spelling, and/or writing. This disorder does not impair intelligence; in fact, most people diagnosed with learning disabilities possess average to superior intelligence.