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Here are some of the more common disorders. Please explore the
further links we provide for those of you that wish to know more.
 SPEECH
LANGUAGE DISORDERS
Most people are unaware of the complex
nature of speech and language development, taking for granted the
notion that we will all become proficient language users. Speech
and language pathologists are trained to understand how the brain
and the muscles of speech need to work together. Knowledge of environmental,
cultural, and neurological influences upon language is also the
realm of the speech language pathologist. When something happens
that affects the ability to learn, understand, or use language in
any form the speech language pathologist is the person to contact.
For more information about speech and language disorders click here
or here.
DELAYED
SPEECH
When should parents be concerned? Have
you ever heard comments like these: They'll grow out of it. The
second child always talks later. Your dad /mom was a late talker.
We hear comments like this all the time. If you are concerned about
your child's speech development demand to have an evaluation. There
are state programs in place that are specifically designed to identify
children in need, ages birth to five years. Some state and government
funded programs have "criteria" for services and can not
treat those in need that do not perform at or below the "criterion"
level. There are also private practices, like ours, to help answer
your questions. . Pediatricians and doctors specialize in health
and medicine. If your child is sick, see the doctor. If there is
a concern about speech, see us. Click
here to read an interesting article about speech delays and
speech pathology.
DELAYED
ARTICULATION
Articulation in relation to talking refers
to how an individual manages respiration, phonation, resonance and
placement of the articulators to produce the sounds of a language.
Tens of thousands of individuals, children and adults are seen each
year for difficulties with articulation. It can take up to seven
years for a child to master all the sounds in the English language.
What is normal articulation? What is delayed articulation? What
is disordered articulation? Our therapists are specially trained
to answer these questions and design a treatment program. It is
not uncommon to take one or more years of quality therapy to remedy
significant articulation concerns. Early intervention is always
the best option. For an interesting article about articulation,
go to here.
STUTTERING/FLUENCY
Over three million American's stutter
or about 1% of the population. Nearly 20% of children show signs
of stuttering that warrant concerns from a family member. All speakers
can experience dysfluent speech at one time or another. Even with
new research, a cause for stuttering has not been found. Researchers
tend to agree that what causes stuttering is likely different from
what makes it continue or worsen. What is the difference between
normal dysfluncies and stuttering? To answer these questions see
a qualified speech and language pathologist. To find out more information
about stuttering go to www.stuttersfa.org,
www.nsadenver.org, or www.nsastutter.org.
TONGUE
THRUST
Tongue thrust and reverse swallow are
terms used for a specific imbalance of the orofacial muscles used
to swallow. Most infants have a reverse swallow or tongue thrust.
Children, usually by the age of six or seven have transitioned away
from a reverse swallow and developed a normal swallow pattern. Tongue
thrust may or may not be accompanied by interdental articulation
distortions. Changing one does not mean the other will go away.
Research suggests that there may be learned behaviors or hereditary
factors that cause tongue thrust. Our treatment consists of an eight
to ten-week program of intensive intervention and home programs.
Intervention for tongue thrust with children under seven years of
age is often unsuccessful due to the complex nature of treatment.
If you are considering braces and you or your child has a tongue
thrust come to us first. For more information about tongue thrust
and its affect on dentition go here.
LEARNING
DISORDERS
Learning disorders can occur due to a
number of reasons. Once again, many people take for granted that
we will be able to learn new information without difficultly. Unfortunately,
this is not the case. Learning disorders affect a large part of
our population. Persons with learning disorders often experience
difficulty linking information from different parts of the brain.
Difficulties can show up in written language, spoken language, reading,
motor coordination, self control, and attention to name just a few.
Learning how to identify the best ways to teach persons with learning
difficulties should be done through a team approach. Members of
such a team of professionals might include: speech and language
pathologist, developmental neurologist, primary care physician,
teachers, perceptual communication specialists, occupational therapists
and, or course, parents. To discover more about learning disorders
go to here
or here.
ATTENTION
DEFICIT DISORDER
Epidemiological data indicates that about
4-6% of the United States population suffers from attention deficit
disorder. It usually persists throughout an individual's life. As
a result, there are scores of adults who may experience attention
problems and not realize it. Approximately ½ to 2/3 of children
with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder have lingering problems
as adults. Attention deficit problems can manifest themselves as
inattentiveness, hyperactivity, or impulsivity. It is likely caused
by biological factors that influence the activity of neurotransmitters
in various parts of the brain. Attention deficit disorder can run
in families which suggests a possible genetic component to it cause.
A team of professionals including a speech language pathologist,
primary care physician, teachers, parents, and psychologist should
also do management of individuals with attention deficit disorders.
To see to the national website click
here.
BRAIN
INJURY
Brain injuries are often categorized as
Primary or Secondary injuries. Primary injuries are those that occur
at the time of trauma. Secondary injuries can occur hours or days
after the initial injury. Secondary injuries can include hematoma,
edema or swelling, and injuries due to infection. Brain injuries
can occur in utero or at any other time during our lives. Injury
to the brain can have devastating effects on speech production,
comprehension, muscle coordination, swallowing, memory and cognition
to name just a few. Even mild brain injuries or concussions can
have long-term effects on language and speech function. Speech and
language pathologists are often some of the first specialists to
get involved in treating these patients and their families. Visit
the national Brain Injury Association.
VOICE
DISORDERS
Voice disorders occur at the level of
the larynx. The eitiology of voice disorders can be related to disease,
mis-use, trauma, neurological problems and one's psychological state.
Dr. Teter is a nationally recognized expert in the field of diagnosis
and treatment of both pediatric and adult voice disorders. We are
one of the only private practices in the area that perform video
laryngostroboscopy, a diagnostic tool used to view focal cord function
during speech. If you experience changes in the range, strength,
and clarity of your voice, or if you have pain, hoarseness or breathiness
you should consult a speech-language pathologist that specializes
in voice disorders. To learn more about video-stroboscopy click
here
CLEFT
LIP AND PALATE
Cleft lip and palate is the 4th most common
type of birth defect and has been reported to effect as many as
1 in every 750 births. A team should carry out management of an
individual born with a cleft lip and palate. There are three active
Cleft Lip and Palate Teams in the Denver area. Jeff Steffen, M.A.,
CCC-SLP, director of our pediatric program, has been a member of
the largest team in the metro area since 1993 and is an active member
of the American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association. Approximately
75% of persons born with a cleft of the lip and palate are referred
for speech and language therapy. Because of the myriad of concerns
your speech and language pathologist should be comfortable consulting
with dentists, orthodontists, otolaryngologists, feeding specialists,
plastic surgeons, genetics, school professionals and, most importantly,
families. To find out more, please click here
or here.
APRAXIA
OF SPEECH/DYSPRAXIA
Apraxia of speech is also often referred
to as dyspraxia. It is a controversial area within our discipline
as to diagnosis and best treatment. Researchers generally agree
that its eitiology is either developmental or acquired. In general
terms, persons with this diagnosis have difficulty sequencing the
movements of speech production despite not having any specific damage
or weakness in those muscles. For more information about apraxia
and children click here.
CENTRAL
AUDITORY PROCESSING DISORDERS
The auditory system is as complex as the
speech and language system. A normally functioning auditory system
changes sound waves into mechanical energy then changes the signal
into electrical nerve stimulation which is then sent along a neural
pathway to various parts of the brain to be interpreted into recognizable
noises, sounds, and words. This is an extremely simplified description
of how we hear. Persons with central auditory processing disorder
experience difficulty somewhere along that complex system. Central
Auditory Processing Disorder or CAPD has been linked to learning
disorders, attention deficit disorder, autism, hyperactivity, math
and spelling problems to name just a few. Audiologists can perform
specialized testing to diagnose CAPD. We are one of few locations
in Colorado performing this kind of testing. To learn more about
CAPD go to here.
FAST
FORWARD
Fast Forward is family of intervention
programs that have developed out of years of research. Within the
field of speech language pathology it remains a controversial yet
growing treatment program for individuals with Central Auditory
Processing Disorders (CAPD). Fast Forward has been featured in Time
and Newsweek magazines. To learn more about Fast Forward
click here.
SYNDROMES
EFFECTING COMMUNICATION
There are numerous syndromes and genetic
conditions that impact the ability to use, produce, and comprehend
language or impair one's ability to communicate. For an alphabetical
listing of genetic conditions click
here.
AUTISM
SPECTRUM DISORDER
Autism was identified by Leo Kanmer, M.D.
in 1943. Since then there has been a tremendous amount of research
about on this disorder. We now have a better idea how individuals
with this diagnosis learn and react to the environment. Even with
this growing knowledge, autism remains a highly specialized area
of focus. In fact it is now considered a spectrum disorder meaning
that there is a range of severity from mild to severe. The autism
spectrum disorders includes other diagnoses such as Asperger's and
Non-Verbal Learning Disorder. The incidence of autism has also been
growing. As few as ten years ago studies reported that about 1 in
5,000 people were diagnosed. Fred Vokmar, M.D. has sited reports
that suggest that 1 or 2 persons in 2000 now are diagnosed with
autism spectrum disorder. It is four times more common in boys than
in girls and is usually detected by age 3. Individuals working with
persons in the autism spectrum truly need to understand the complexity
of this disorder. Given that two of the key features with this diagnosis
include significant language and social impairment, the speech-language
pathologist is often a core member of the team of professionals
treating persons with autism. To learn more about autism spectrum
disorders visit www.autism-society.org
or www.autism.com.
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