Communication is what brings everyone together. It is an important part of being human and creating meaningful relationships throughout each stage of life. Although language and communication disorders are distinctly different, both are detrimental to those experiencing these types of issues.
Communication disorders negatively impact the way a person sends, receives, and processes spoken messages. When language disorders go unrecognized and unresolved, the person suffering from them will continue to experience increased difficulty communicating effectively and may feel frustrated with the limited ability to connect deeply with others.
Types of Communication Disorders
There are several ways to group communication disorders. These groupings identify key symptoms commonly associated with each variety. Here is a breakdown of the types of communication disorders along with the unique difficulties experienced with each one.
Expressive Language disorders – Impede speaking abilities, making it difficult to speak normally
Mixed Receptive Expressive Language disorders – Difficulty understanding and processing verbal communication, as well as, speaking and responding
Speech disorders – Categorized in those affecting articulation, fluency, and voice
- Articulation difficulties are when a person is accidentally changing or using the wrong words in place of others, making spoken communication difficult to understand
- Fluency problems are whenever a person speaks with irregularity in rhythm
- Voice disorders involve abnormalities in pitch and loudness or length of pronunciation
Language disorders negatively affect the use of everyday speech and writing abilities. These areas of concern are broken down into the following:
- Language sounds
- Word structure
- Sentence formation
- Word meanings and phraseology
- Socially appropriate communication
Hearing disorders – Deaf or hard of hearing makes it difficult to speak as clearly and accurately as someone who does not experience hearing loss
Central Processing disorders – When a person has difficulty absorbing spoken information correctly and understanding the subtlety of auditory cues
Common Causes for Speech and Language Disorders
People of all ages can have a speech or language disorder during their lifetime. It may be something that a person is born with, such as deafness or speech delay, or it may be the result of an accident or stroke. Understanding the cause of the disorder helps with taking appropriate action in applying therapeutic measures.
Some of the main causes for communication disorders come from:
- Defective brain development
- Exposure to drugs/alcohol or other substances while in the womb
- Cleft lip/palate
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Genetic abnormalities
- Brain tumors
- Neurological impairments
Despite the many factors that contribute to communication disorders, speech-language therapy has been proven to be highly beneficial in improving the wide range of language and speech issues. Short or long-term therapy can substantially improve a person’s communication ability and develop the necessary skills to address each unique difficulty.
With the improvement of speech and language, people feel more confident and empowered to make themselves understood and receive verbal messages more effectively. Improving communication is a highly valuable skill for anyone, especially for those experiencing advanced communication barriers.
South Coast Post Acute is Southern California’s Premier Post-Acute Partner
Better health and rehabilitation is possible with the right professional oversight. At South Coast Post Acute, we offer speech-language therapy and deliver the services needed to restore health, regain autonomy and reduce the occurrences of rehospitalization.
South Coast Post Acute is here for you, at any age. Our innovative approach, experienced staff, and welcoming accommodations combine to bring you the highest level of care you’ve come to expect from Southern California’s leading post-acute provider.
Contact us today for more information on how we can help on your journey back to restored health.