What is a Communication Disorder?

Communication disorders involve difficultties in listening, speaking, reading and writing. These disorders affect 8-12% of all children in the U.S. and include problems such as:

• Difficulty understanding directions or conversation
• Hearing the difference between speech sounds (e.g. "f" and "th")
  
• Stuttering
  
• Speaking in sentences that are incomplete or too short
  
• Speech that is not understood by people outside the family
  
• Difficulty sounding out words when reading
  
• Difficulty understanding what is read
  
• Difficulty with written grammar, word order or organization of information

Problems with eating and swallowing are also treated.

Without the ability to communicate effectively, a child will have trouble learning, establishing friendships and developing positive self-esteem. Waiting to see if a child outgrows the problem may cause increased frustration and make treatment more difficult.

How Can a Speech Therapist Help My Child Learn to Read?

Learning to read is a complex process that involves a number of "building block" skills. It is very important to identify which skill or combination of skills need "fixing" in order for your child to read with ease and understanding. If your car doesn't run properly, for instance, you wouldn't change the spark plugs if the electrical system were at fault. Likewise, a reading problem requires careful diagnosis and an individualized plan of treatment. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs), more commonly known as speech therapists, are specially trained in sound (phonological) awareness, spoken language, vocabulary development and understanding language, which are some of the important building block skills for reading.

Other Important Resources:

• Typical Developmental Milestones: Birth to Five Years
• Building Blocks for Successful Reading
• Possible Early Indicators of Autism