Language and Communication

1. Language and Communication • Definitions • Developmental scales • Communication disorders • Speech Disorders • Language Disorders • Interventions

2. Language and Literacy Connection • http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid4250110001?bctid=587336352001 Video connecting B-3 language and literacy • http://dww.ed.gov/Preschool-Language-and-Literacy/topic/index.cfm?T_ID=15 US DOE site on language and literacy • http://www.ldonline.org/article/6313/ language milestones

3. Definitions • Speech- behavior of producing a language code by making appropriate vocal sound patterns. • Involves respiration; phonation; resonation; articulation • Communication- exchange of ideas and information • Paralinguistic or nonlanguage sounds and nonlinguistic cues • Language- common system used by people for giving meaning to sounds, words, gestures, and other symbols • Phonology- linguistic rules of the 45 phonemes • Morphology- basic units of meaning combined into words • Syntax- rules governing arrangement of words into sentences • Semantics- how people use language to convey meaning • Pragmatics- rules on how language is used (e.g. turn taking)

4. Speech and Language Dvlpmt(0-2 years) • Birth to 6mos • Crying; comfort sounds; vowel sounds; reacts to voices; follows sound • 6 to 12 months • Differentiated babbling; develops voice inflections; responds to “bye-bye” and “no” • 12 to 18 months • Poor pronunciation; points with possible word connection; responds to simple commands • 18 to 24 months • Echolalia; large growth in acquisition and speech; receptive vocab up to 1000 words by age 2; distinguishes common objects

5. Speech and Language Dvlpmt(2+ years) • 2 to 3 years • Expressive vocab up to 900 words with 3-4 words sentences; participates in conversation; identifies colors, plurals; tells stories; follows commands; uses most vowels and consonants correctly • 3 to 4 years • Speaks rapidly; asks many questions; longer sentences; understands concepts such as secret, bigger, funny; substitutes real words for invented ones; repetitions and hesitations are normal. • 4 to 5 years • Vocab up to 1500 words and sentences 5 words; modifies speech for listener; recites poems and sings songs from memory • 5 years plus • Complex forms of English; Blends and consonant sounds mastered at age 7-8; grammar and speech patterns match those in frequent contact

6. Communication Disorders • When-stuttering, impaired articulation, language impairment, or voice impairment which adversely affects educational performance • Common concerns • Substitutions; distortions; omissions; additions; cluttered fluency; stuttering; phonation distortions; resonance (hyper or hyponasal) • Receptive language disorder- difficulty with sequences or directions • Expressive language disorder- limited vocabulary, incorrect tenses or plurals that make it difficult to express one’s self.

7. Assessment of Language Disorders • Conversational Analysis • Role of Listener • Role of Speaker • Narration Analysis • Comparison of story to retelling • Writing Analysis • Writing Process • Writing Product • Problem Solving • Alternative approaches to expression

8. Interventions • Create numerous opportunities for desired child responses (holding up a toy and asking “What do you want?” • Encourage responses and attempts http://sign2me.com/video.php • Structure adult responses to a child’s communication (e.g., the child points outside and says “Come wiff me” and the adult responds “I’ll come with you.”) • Give student choices and elicit responses • Set up naturalistic situations with unexpected ones • Provide interesting materials • For preparation in reading, see strategies on phonological awareness.

9. Sum it up • How can a receptive language disorder affect a student’s education? • How can an expressive language disorder affect a student’s education? • How can receptive difficulties lead to expressive difficulties? • How can modeling help with communication disorders?