Communication Disabilities
A communication disorder is an impairment in the ability to receive, send, process, and comprehend concepts or verbal, nonverbal and graphic symbol systems. A communication disorder may be evident in the processes of hearing, language, and/or speech. A communication disorder may range in severity from mild to profound. It may be developmental or acquired. Individuals may demonstrate one or any combination of communication disorders. A communication disorder may result in a primary disability or it may be secondary to other disabilities.
A speech disorder is an impairment of the articulation of speech sounds, fluency and/or voice.
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Form of Language
- Phonology is the sound system of a language and the rules that govern the sound combinations.
- Morphology is the system that governs the structure of words and the construction of word forms.
- Syntax is the system governing the order and combination of words to form sentences, and the relationships among the elements within a sentence.
- Semantics is the system that governs the meanings of words and sentences.
- Pragmatics is the system that combines the above language components in functional and socially appropriate communication.
- Deaf is defined as a hearing disorder that limits an individual's aural/oral communication performance to the extent that the primary sensory input for communication may be other than the auditory channel.
- Hard of hearing is defined as a hearing disorder, whether fluctuating or permanent, which adversely affects an individual's ability to communicate. The hard-of-hearing individual relies on the auditory channel as the primary sensory input for communication.
- Central auditory processing disorders are deficits in the information processing of audible signals not attributed to impaired peripheral hearing sensitivity or intellectual impairment. This information processing involves perceptual, cognitive, and linguistic functions that, with appropriate interaction, result in effective receptive communication of auditorily presented stimuli. Specifically, CAPD refers to limitations in the ongoing transmission, analysis, organization, transformation, elaboration, storage, retrieval, and use of information contained in audible signals. CAPD may involve the listener's active and passive (e.g., conscious and unconscious, mediated and unmediated, controlled and automatic) ability to do the following:
- attend, discriminate, and identify acoustic signals;
- transform and continuously transmit information through both the peripheral and central nervous systems;
- filter, sort, and combine information at appropriate perceptual and conceptual levels;
- store and retrieve information efficiently; restore, organize, and use retrieved information;
- segment and decode acoustic stimuli using phonological, semantic, syntactic, and pragmatic knowledge; and
- attach meaning to a stream of acoustic signals through use of linguistic and nonlinguistic contexts.
Communication Variations
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Teaching Strategies for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Students
1. Seat the student near the front of the room – close to the visual/sound source.
2. Make sure the student can see your face when you’re giving instruction (for lipreading purposes, so they can see your expressions, etc.)
3. Use visual teaching strategies as much as possible: overhead projectors, smartboards, powerpoint, etc.
4. Write homework assignments, test dates, the daily schedule, and major discussion points on the board. Encourage older students to use a daily planner.
5. Seat the student next to high-performing responsible students who can be of assistance to the deaf student. Utilize peer tutors, “study buddies”, etc. as needed.
6. Students who use hearing aids/cochlear implants, etc.: encourage the student/parents to have spare batteries at school.
7. Students who utilize interpreter/paraprofessional services: The role of an interpreter/paraprofessional is that of a communication facilitator between you and the student, or the student and other students/staff. Interpreters/paraprofessionals are not licensed teachers. They are not to assume your teacher role.
8. Encourage the student’s developing speech and/or language skills. Emphasize vocabulary and language in your subject matter.
9. Put the student at ease and encourage them to come to you for help or clarification. Help them develop friendly associations with other students. (Help prevent “interpreter dependence” and encourage the student to make friends their own age.)
1. Seat the student near the front of the room – close to the visual/sound source.
2. Make sure the student can see your face when you’re giving instruction (for lipreading purposes, so they can see your expressions, etc.)
3. Use visual teaching strategies as much as possible: overhead projectors, smartboards, powerpoint, etc.
4. Write homework assignments, test dates, the daily schedule, and major discussion points on the board. Encourage older students to use a daily planner.
5. Seat the student next to high-performing responsible students who can be of assistance to the deaf student. Utilize peer tutors, “study buddies”, etc. as needed.
6. Students who use hearing aids/cochlear implants, etc.: encourage the student/parents to have spare batteries at school.
7. Students who utilize interpreter/paraprofessional services: The role of an interpreter/paraprofessional is that of a communication facilitator between you and the student, or the student and other students/staff. Interpreters/paraprofessionals are not licensed teachers. They are not to assume your teacher role.
8. Encourage the student’s developing speech and/or language skills. Emphasize vocabulary and language in your subject matter.
9. Put the student at ease and encourage them to come to you for help or clarification. Help them develop friendly associations with other students. (Help prevent “interpreter dependence” and encourage the student to make friends their own age.)
Accommodations for these students in the classroom:
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Technology/ Environmental resources:
- Go Talks
- Communication boards
- Signing
- Gesturing
- Electronic devices
- Ipads