Difficulty using communication appropriately in social situations.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) – Challenges with understanding nonverbal cues, taking turns in conversation, or using appropriate language in different settings.

Pragmatic Language Disorder – Difficulty knowing what to say, how to say it, and when to say it in social situations.

Difficulty understanding or using spoken or written language.

Receptive Language Disorder – Trouble understanding what others are saying (e.g., struggling to follow directions).

Expressive Language Disorder – Difficulty using words to express thoughts clearly (e.g., struggling to form sentences).

Mixed Receptive-Expressive Language Disorder – Trouble both understanding and expressing language.

Aphasia – Loss of language skills due to a stroke or brain injury, making it hard to speak, understand, read, or write.

These affect the rhythm and flow of speech.

Stuttering – Repetitions (b-b-ball), prolongations (ssssnake), or blocks (stopping mid-word) that make speaking difficult.

Cluttering – Fast, jumbled speech that may leave out sounds or syllables, making speech hard to understand.

Difficulty with thinking skills that affect communication.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – Damage to the brain that causes memory, attention, or problem-solving difficulties that affect communication.

Dementia – Progressive loss of memory and thinking skills, affecting the ability to hold conversations and recall words.

Executive Function Disorder – Difficulty organizing thoughts, planning, or remembering things in daily life.

Helping individuals who cannot use speech effectively.

Use of AAC Devices – Teaching individuals to communicate using speech-generating devices, picture boards, or sign language.

PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) – A system that helps nonverbal individuals use pictures to communicate.

These involve problems with pitch, loudness, or quality of the voice.

Vocal Nodules/Polyps – Growths on the vocal cords from overuse or strain, causing a hoarse voice.

Paradoxical Vocal Fold Movement (PVFM) – Vocal cords closing when they shouldn’t, making breathing or speaking difficult.

Hypernasality – Too much air escaping through the nose while speaking (e.g., after cleft palate repair).

Hypo-nasality – Too little air coming through the nose, making the voice sound stuffed up (like when you have a cold).

Problems swallowing food, liquids, or saliva safely.

Oral Dysphagia – Difficulty chewing or moving food around the mouth properly.

Pharyngeal Dysphagia – Difficulty swallowing safely due to problems with the throat muscles, which can lead to choking or aspiration.

Esophageal Dysphagia – Food getting stuck in the esophagus or trouble moving food to the stomach.

Problems with hearing and processing sounds.

Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) – Difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments, even with normal hearing.

Hearing Loss Rehabilitation – Helping individuals with hearing aids or cochlear implants improve speech and listening skills.

Auditory-Verbal Therapy – Teaching children with hearing loss to listen and speak without relying on sign language.