Use for:

• Defective speech
• Disorders of speech
• Speech, Disorders of
• Speech defects
• Speech pathology

Broader Terms:

• Communicative disorders

Narrower Terms:

• Aphasia
• Articulation disorders
• Cluttering (Speech pathology)
• Mutism
• Stuttering
• Tongue thrust
• Velopharyngeal insufficiency
• Voice disorders

Speech Disorders

by Cynthia L. Cordova

Scope note and definition:

Here are entered works on impairment in comprehension use of the spoken, written, or other symbol system. [Quoted from: http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Speech+Disorders].

Speech disorders affect the language and mechanics, the content of speech, or the function of language in communication. Because speech disorders affect a person's ability to communicate effectively, every aspect of the person's life can be affected, for example, the person's ability to make friends, and to communicate at school or at work. [Quoted from: http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Speech+Disorders].

Speech disorders can be congenital (present from birth) or acquired (resulting from stroke, head injury, or illness). [Quoted from: http://home.ica.net/~fred/anchor10.htm].