The terms Speech and Language have very different meanings. If your child has trouble with speech, he/she struggles with the “how-to” of talking; the coordination of the muscles and movements necessary to produce speech. If your child has trouble with language, he/she struggles with understanding what he/she hears or sees. Your child may struggle to find the right words and/or organize those words in a meaningful way to communicate a message or hold a conversation.

What are the most common Speech and Language Disorders? Speech Disorders • Articulation-the way we say our speech sounds • Phonology-the speech patterns we use • Apraxia – difficulty planning and coordinating the movements needed to make speech sounds • Fluency- stuttering • Voice – problems with the way the voices sounds, such as hoarseness Language Disorders • Receptive Language- difficulty understanding language • Expressive Language- difficulty using language • Pragmatic Language – Social communication; the way we speak to each other Other Disorders • Deafness/Hearing Loss – loss of hearing ; In the case of children with cochlear implants or those with very good benefit from hearing aids , therapy includes aural/oral (re)habilitation or Auditory Verbal Therapy (AVT) and in the case of late amplification or limited benefit from hearing aids, therapy includes developing lip reading, speech , and /or alternative communication systems. • Oral-Motor Disorders- weak tongue and/or lip muscles • Swallowing / Feeding Disorders- Difficulty chewing and /or swallowing