Speech Pathology Blog for Parents

WHAT IS PRAGMATICS? Pragmatics is the use of language in social contexts. The rule system used for social communication allows us to initiate and maintain positive relationships with others; contributes to peer acceptance; and helps us cope effectively and adaptively with our social environment.  RISK INDICATORSFOR POOR PRAGMATIC SKILLS Difficulty using language for different purposes 

“Autism is a developmental disability that causes problems with social skills and communication. Autism can be mild or severe. It is different for every person. Autism is also known as autism spectrum disorders.” (ASHA). Autism is considered to be part of a group of disorders (Autism Spectrum Disorders). These disorders have similar characteristics but differing

What is an accent?  The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association defines an accent as “the unique way that speech is pronounced by a group of people speaking the same language” (www.asha.org).  Accents may be considered regional, resulting from a dialect of English (e.g., Southern American English), or foreign (e.g., Spanish-influenced English). An accent is not a speech impairment.

WHAT IS A NEUROGENIC COMMUNICATION DISORDER?  Neuropathologies or brain trauma often result in language deficits. Some characteristics you may observe in your loved one may include: improper use of words and their meanings, the inability to express ideas, inappropriate grammatical patterns, reduced vocabulary, and the inability to follow directions. A person’s cognition may also be