Speech and Language
Communication difficulties
An inability to communicate effectively can hinder a child’s ability to develop social relationships, make expected academic progress, and negatively impact self-esteem. A child with communication problems may experience difficulty with any of the following:
- Using speech and language as a primary form of communication
- Hearing
- Attention/Active listening
- Understanding language
- Following directions
- Orally expressing thoughts
- Articulation
- Social language skills
- Fluency (stuttering/repetitions)
- Reading and writing
Feeding difficulties
Feeding problems can take on many forms and may interfere with a child’s growth, health, nutrition, development and behavior. A child with feeding difficulties may display problems with eating or swallowing due to:
- Oral motor and postural problems
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Behavioral and sensory issues
- Failure to thrive
- Difficulty transitioning to textured foods
- Transitions from feeding tube to oral feedings
Voice difficulties
A child may have trouble with pitch, loudness or voice quality. Voice disorders also include non-asthma related breathing difficulties and resonance issues. Voice disorders may interfere with a child’s ability to effectively communicate with others. Common conditions that may result in voice disorders include:
- Vocal fold nodules or polyps
- Laryngeal nerve paralysis or paresis
- Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR)
- Cleft palate
- Vocal cord dysfunction
- Neurologic conditions
- Vocal abuse or misuse