by Tracie Joy

Created on: January 06, 2008

Communication Disorders

A communication disorder includes articulation disorders, fluency disorders of speech, the flow of voice, or language disorders. Communication disorders include both speech and language disorders. A language disorder is the impairment or deviant development of comprehension or use of a spoken, written or other symbol system. Children who suffer from speech or language disorders are locked in a world where communication is difficult if not impossible. Sometimes, a child is unable to vocalize or communicate, and sometimes, the child chooses not to communicate with others (elective mutism). It is up to the educator to find a way to make that child part of the classroom community.

Teaching Strategies for Children with Communication Disorders

First, it should be determined if the child is suffering from a physical disability, or has chosen not to talk. If the child has chosen not to talk, nothing anybody can do can make him talk. It is best to offer the option to participate verbally to the child, but not to make an issue of it when they chose not to. By offering the opportunity without the pressure of participation, the child may willingly begin to talk in the classroom environment.

If the communication disorder is physically based in nature, the child should be in therapy to correct the problem. It is important that the teacher discuss with the therapist the plans for the child and follow along with them. The teacher should model the correct pronunciations to the child, but not place too much emphasis on the corrections. In this way, the child won't be singled out or made to feel inferior. The teacher should also make an effort to make sure that the classroom environment is supportive for the child, and he or she is not ridiculed for their speech.

If the communication problem cannot be corrected, or the child is mute, the student should be taught sign language. The teacher should also be familiar with sign language, and if at all possible, incorporate sign into the curriculum and make have it used by all the children. In this way, the child with the communication disorder will be able to communicate with his or her peers and develop social relationships.

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