Family Support Blog

Phonological Disorders

Phonological Disorders

It involves consistent patterns of speech errors. For example, when a child consistently drops the last consonant of words, a pattern can be identified (final consonant deletion). Children use patterns, or simplifications of adult speech, while speech is developing....

Dysarthia

Dysarthia

Dysarthria is diagnosed when a patient presents with weakness of his or her articulators. This problem can affect all aspects of articulation including respiration (breathing) and phonation (use of voice). Sound errors tend to be consistent with dysarthria and the...

Articulation Disorders

Articulation Disorders

What is an Articulation Disorder? An articulation disorder impairs a person's ability to speak clearly. Articulation of speech emerges over time, and is generally imperfect during the early stages of development. This is completely normal. However, some speech sound...

Autism

What is autism? According to the Autism Society of America, autism is defined as “a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is defined...

Cognitive Deficits and Disorders

Cognitive Deficits and related disorders refer to decreased intellectual functioning.  That is, intellectual skills are below expectations when measured against same aged typical individuals.  It most commonly includes problems in all areas of functioning as seen with...

Developmental Delay

Developmental Delay in Children Developmental Delay may be diagnosed when a child does not develop important (milestone) skills on time as expected.  These skills can include one or more areas of development including:  communication, motor skills, thinking or...

Down Syndrome

Down Syndrome

What is Down Syndrome? Down syndrome is a condition that occurs when a baby is born with an extra chromosome. This condition typically causes mental and physical problems for the baby. Symptoms of Down syndrome range from mild to severe. Some common physical signs of...

Dysphagia

Dysphagia

What is Dysphagia? Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing or eating. Dysphagia can occur during any stage of the feeding process, from chewing of food, formation of a bolus, to the passage of the bolus through the esophagus. Dyspagia can result from a variety of...

Language Disorders

Language Disorders

What are language disorders? Language disorders can cause children to have problems with vocabulary, forming sentences, properly using grammar, and using context. This in turn causes difficulty with communication, which is essential for every day life. Symptoms can...