Supporting Communication Disorders

Communication is one of life’s most fundamental joys, yet one often taken for granted until it is lost or fails to develop. Yet for millions of children each year, the skills that encompass communication stall or do not emerge at all. Even a mild disorder or temporary interruption in development can have long-term effects and result in serious and far-reaching deficits that touch every aspect of a child’s life. Each year, millions of children and their families join the ranks of those who are navigating a life they never expected, and frequently feel they are unable to take on. While it is critical to address the child’s deficits with supports and specific interventions, it is equally important to directly address the impact on the family, from the marital relationship to the well-being of siblings. With a warm and compassionate approach, Suzanne Ducharme provides parents with comprehensive information about speech and language development and the intervention process, but also delves deeply into the fears, concerns, and questions that every parent faces when something goes wrong. She provides families with information and resources, but also support and perspective. Using real stories throughout, Ducharme is able to illustrate the range of difficulties, challenges, and triumphs of families who love and support children with speech and language issues.

This book examines the typical pattern of communication development in children and adolescents to enable primary care physicians as well as other clinicians, therapists, and practitioners to assist parents in making informed decisions based on current research. It offers an overview of communication disorders in children and adolescents that typically present before adulthood. The book describes current assessment, diagnostic procedures, and evidence-based interventions. Chapters outline the standard course of speech milestones and ages to begin screening for deficits and their risk factors. Subsequent chapters review best practices for every aspect of treatment, including care planning, discussing disorders and interventions with parents, making referrals, and collaborating with other providers. The book also discusses evidence-based interventions for specific disorder types such as language impairment, stuttering, language disabilities, and hearing impairment. In addition, the book offers guidance on how to speak about care planning as well as quality of life issues related to communication disorders with other caregivers and parents. Featured topics include: Screening and identification procedures of communication disorders. Key elements to providing family-centered care. Common causes, assessment, and treatment of specific language impairment (SLI) in children. Hearing loss and its impact on the development of communication in children. Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the role of attention in the development of language in children. Communication development in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The Clinical Guide to Assessment and Treatment of Communication Disorders is a must-have resource for clinicians and related professionals, researchers and professors, and graduate students in the fields of child, school, and developmental psychology, pediatrics and social work, child and adolescent psychiatry, primary care medicine, and related disciplines.

First Published in 2003. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Get exact information on 24 common disorders and how communication can be negatively impacted. Resources abound on the nature of disorders such as Autism and Down Syndrome. However, how do we help these individuals communicate more effectively and where do we find resources to learn more? Within this book, each communication disorder is described by the definition, description, characteristics, causes, implications for treatment, and additional resources, such as support groups, books, websites and additional sources for finding out more to best support individuals who struggle communicating. Supporting individuals with communication disorders and related conditions involves a coordinated team of people that can include family, professionals, educators and other community members. Whether seeking support for adults or children with communication disorders, ensuring everyone involved is as knowledgeable as possible is key to providing support to the individual and their family. This resource serves to be a guide to do just that. Communication disorders are some of the most common disabilities in the United States, affecting both children and adults. This book came together as part of a project to create a resource for graduate students and speech-language pathologists new to the field on the wide range of communication disorders that exist. We have found that it has become a valued resource for many educators and family members of those with communication disorders as well. In this book, we provide a wealth of information about specific disorders in an easily accessible format. The collaborative efforts of our group of speech-language pathologists over the past three years have grown the project's resources into this book including, information on 24 communication disorders and related conditions. Our hope is to inform, educate and aid individuals with communication disorders, their families, and the people who work with them so they may receive impactful support and treatment. Knowledge is power! Who can benefit from using this book? Individuals seeking treatment and support for communication disorders and related conditions can use this book to become more informed about their condition and relevant resources. Parents and families supporting those with communication disorders can learn more about a specific condition and share information with those around them to become advocates for their loved ones. When caregivers have the information and education they need, they can more easily develop a positive outlook and provide better support for their family. Speech-language pathologists, educators, medical professionals, school personnel, social workers, and other professionals providing related support can find this book helpful in gaining additional knowledge, not only regarding the condition, but also the implications that communication deficits will have on the clients they serve.

This practical handbook provides SENCOs, class teachers and teaching assistants with a step-by-step guide to the identification of speech and language disorders, a basic knowledge of the underlying causes and guidance for developing strategies for support and intervention in the classroom. It gives a foundation for assessment and differentiation, which will help the teacher or teaching assistant to work effectively in collaboration with speech and language therapists. It suggests appropriate materials and programmes of work for enabling the child to access the curriculum as fully as possible. The book includes photocopiable assessments and worksheets, which can be used as part of planning and intervention for individual children or small group work.

Despite an increasing awareness of Developmental Language Disorder, there are very few tools available to help people understand and live with a diagnosis of DLD. DLD and Me is a functional, engaging resource for children and young people with DLD and the professionals and families that work with them. The book consists of an easy-to-follow, 12-week programme designed to help children and young people understand their strengths, what makes them different, what DLD is and how they can support their own communication in everyday life. Key features include: clearly worded session plans for therapists or education staff to follow; engaging visual resources to accompany the session plans, each available to photocopy and download; home sheets to keep families involved and informed; information sheets and training plans for parents and education staff; outcome measures to evaluate progress. This invaluable tool has been designed to be used by Speech and Language Therapists, teachers and other professionals or parents working with children and young people with DLD.

This comprehensive text arms SLPs and other service providers with research-based strategies, supports, and technologies that improve outcomes for adults with chronic or acute aphasia.

The fourth edition of the foundational, widely adopted AAC textbook Augmentative and Alternative Communication is the definitive introduction to AAC processes, interventions, and technologies that help people best meet their daily communication needs. Future teachers, SLPs, OTs, PTs, and other professionals will prepare for their work in the field with critical new information on advancing literacy skills; conducting effective, culturally appropriate assessment and intervention; selecting AAC vocabulary tailored to individual needs; using new consumer technologies as affordable, nonstigmatizing communication devices; promoting social competence supporting language learning and development; providing effective support to beginning communicators; planning inclusive education services for students with complex communication needs; and improving the communication of people with specific developmental disabilities and acquired disabilities. An essential core text for tomorrow's professionals--and a key reference for in-service practitioners--this fourth edition prepares readers to support the communicative competence of children and adults with a wide range of complex needs.