Application Assignment

Research and Information Exchange

INFORMATION SHEET

Category of special needs: Communication Disorder

· IDEA definition of this category:

Communication disorder involves things such as stuttering, impaired articulation, a language impairment, or a voice impairment that adversely affects a child’s educational performance.

· Other definitions (if applicable):

· Possible causes and/or prevention:

Speech-language pathologists can work with children in school or after school. They help by working with certain words or issues that the children are having problems with. They test them to see where the problem is and work on it from there in steps.

· Characteristics of young children identified in this category:

There can be many characteristics of children with communication disorders. It can be from something as simple as not being able to properly say certain words to pronunciation. It can be very faint or very strong. They may not be able to comprehend words that people say to them. There are many forms of communication disorders.

5. How this category of special needs affects the development of young children:

Communication is, in my opinion, one of the most important factors on learning. If a child is in school and can’t comprehend what the teacher is saying to them then they will not be able to learn or understand what is being asked of them or told to them. When a child wants or needs something they speak and tell someone. Without some form of communication the child will face difficulties.

· A current issue and/or future trend related to this category:

I think that some parents do not think that this would actually qualify as a special need. They may not understand that their child may not be able to properly say certain words or thier child may not understand what they are saying to them. I think properly informing parents, care givers and teachers that communication disorders are things that should not be overlooked and we should know the signs to look for.

· An insight you have gained from your reading and research:

My daughter is actually taking speech classes two times a week. I think she would fall under this category of having a communication disorder. Her case is very small because she only has issues with pronunciation of a few sounds or words. I think learning about the disorder helps me to know and understand how to help her out more at home.

8. A misconception about this category uncovered through your research -- or a misconception you held before your research -- and information to correct it:

I did not know that the communication disorder had so many different levels in itself. When I was reading and saw "communication disorder", I just thought of speech issues. I see now that there are more levels to understand. This can go for just about any disorder or disability that we know of. Just because we think we know what a term is does not mean we fully understand the meaning.

· A concern, question, or reflection you have about this particular category:

I could not find anything on preventing a communication disorder. Helping our children through life is very important. Finding ways to prevent any type of disorder will only help them in the long run. I wonder what causes our children to have trouble with communication. Are we as parents not helping them enough. For example: We raise our babies by talking to them in baby talk. Is this something that could cause them to have communication disorders?

· The resources you used for your research including a Web site or other online resource you recommend (can be more than one):

Heward, W. (2009). Exceptional children: An introduction to special education. (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.