What is Communication

If you suspect your child might have a speech problem, it is important to get help as soon as possible. Early intervention is the key to getting help for your child and help for you in understanding what exactly the problem might be.

A speech pathologist named Laura Talbert helps define speech and language and the disorders that therapists typically see in children.

What is communication?

Communication, then, is the process of conveying a message or meaning to establish a shared understanding to others. It is how we give and receive messages. It can involve speech, language, sign language, pictures, written words, gestures, facial expressions, body language, etc. It’s important to realize you don’t need speech or a shared language in order to communicate (i.e. think about the game cherades, you don’t use your voice or any language, yet you are still able to get your point across.) When working with children with speech and language delays, communication is always the first goal in order for the child to have his needs and wants met. Sometimes, speech therapist will put an alternative communication system in place for the child so that they can communicate with more ease. This could involve using a picture communication exchange system, sign language, or possibly a augmentative communication device (a computer that speaks for you)

What’s the difference between speech and language?

Speech refers to how speech sounds are made and how they sound. It is commonly referred to as “pronunciation.” In order to produce speech we look at the child’s ability to

1. Produce individual sounds or sound patterns (articulation)
2. Produce speech with appropriate fluency without stuttering 
3. Produce speech appropriate vocal quality for his/her age.

Types of Speech Disorders:

• Childhood Apraxia of Speech
• Dysarthria
• Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder
• Speech Sound Disorders (Articulation and Phonological Disorders)
• Voice
• Stuttering

The ASHA website has detailed descriptions of all of these. It is best though to speak with a professional, if your child has been diagnosed with one of these to fully understand the disorder.
Language, in short, is what you are able to understand when others speak/communicate with you and how you are able to express yourself. A more technical definition of language is a symbolic, rule governed system used to convey a message. The American Speech Language Hearing Association defines language as being made up of socially shared rules. Some of these “rule” systems that govern a language include  phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics.

Semantics: what words mean (i.e. a “star” could be a ball of gas in the atmosphere or a celebrity)

Morphology: formulating new words (prefixes and suffixes from root word)

Syntax: combining words (sentence structure)

Pragmatics: social skills. How your child uses language for different purposes (i.e. making requests, protesting, etc.), changing their language to suit their listener (i.e. they talk differently with their friends than adults), and following social rules (i.e. can they take turns in a conversation, initiate conversations, etc.)

Speech and language disorders can be caused by a number of factors. If you have concerns about your child a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) can screen, evaluate, diagnose, and treat delays in all the above areas. A good SLP will work with both you, your child, and your family to improve communication.