Speech and Communication Disorders

Summary

Many disorders can affect our ability to speak and communicate. They range from saying sounds incorrectly to being completely unable to speak or understand speech. Causes include:

• Hearing disorders and deafness
• Voice problems, such as dysphonia or those caused by cleft lip or palate
• Speech problems like stuttering
• Developmental disabilities
• Learning disabilities
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Brain injury
• Stroke

Some speech and communication problems may be genetic. Often, no one knows the causes. By first grade, about 5% of children have noticeable speech disorders. Speech and language therapy can help.

NIH: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Genetics

• 22q13.3 deletion syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• 47,XYY syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Epilepsy-aphasia spectrum: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• PURA syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Triple X syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Specifics

• Aphasia vs. Apraxia American Stroke Association
• Apraxia of Speech National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Patient Handouts

• Apraxia Medical Encyclopedia
• Dysarthria Medical Encyclopedia
• Phonological disorder Medical Encyclopedia
• Selective mutism Medical Encyclopedia
• Speech impairment in adults Medical Encyclopedia

Living With

• Assistive Devices for People with Hearing, Voice, Speech, or Language Disorders National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Communication Disorders National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Language Disorders National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Speech Disorders National Institutes of Health

Encyclopedia

• Communicating with someone with dysarthria Medical Encyclopedia

Find an Expert

• Directory of Organizations (Deafness and Communication Disorders) National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Reference Desk

• NIDCD Glossary National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Journal Articles

• Speech and Communication Disorders

Statistics and Research

• Quick Statistics about Voice, Speech, and Language National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Start Here

• Speech and Language Impairments Center for Parent Information and Resources
• Voice, Speech, and Language National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Teenagers

• Speech Problems Nemours Foundation

Related Issues

• Speech to Speech Relay Service Federal Communications Commission
• Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Federal Communications Commission
• Telecommunications Relay Services National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders