Glossary

Tools or strategies to help individuals with communication impairments express themselves, such as speech-generating devices or communication boards.

The national organization that certifies SLPs and audiologists and sets professional standards.

Difficulty performing mathematical calculations due to neurological conditions.

Therapy focusing on modifying regional or non-native speech patterns.

A language disorder caused by brain damage that affects the ability to speak, understand, read, or write.

A motor planning disorder where the brain struggles to coordinate muscle movements for speech.

Difficulty in correctly producing speech sounds due to issues with the movement of speech-related muscles.

Entry of food, liquid, or other materials into the airway below the vocal folds, which can lead to pneumonia and other respiratory complications.

A condition where the brain has difficulty interpreting and making sense of sounds, despite normal hearing.

A neurotype characterized by differences in social communication, sensory processing, and patterns of thinking and behavior.

Phonological process where front sounds are replaced with back sounds.

Clinical assessment of swallowing function performed at patient's bedside.

Hearing loss in both ears, which can range from mild to profound and impact speech and language development.

A mass of food or liquid prepared for swallowing.

A general method for documenting speech sounds using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), focusing on major sound features.

A motor speech disorder where children have difficulty planning and coordinating the movements needed for speech.

A congenital condition where the roof of the mouth does not fully close, affecting speech and feeding.

Simplification of consonant clusters by omitting one or more sounds.

A fluency disorder characterized by rapid and/or irregular speech that can be difficult to understand.

Impairments in communication due to deficits in cognitive processes such as memory, attention, or problem-solving.

A set of frequently used words that make up the majority of communication, often emphasized in AAC therapy.

The presence of different languages, dialects, and cultural communication patterns within communities.

Later-than-expected emergence of language skills.

Progressive decline in cognitive function affecting communication and swallowing.

A difference in language learning that impacts understanding and/or use of language, occurring in about 7% of the population.

The ability to make rapid, alternating speech movements, often assessed during speech evaluations.

A genetic variation that may present with unique patterns of learning and development, including distinct speech and language characteristics.

A motor speech disorder resulting from muscle weakness, affecting speech clarity and articulation.

Disruptions in the smooth flow of speech.

Abnormal, involuntary movements that can affect speech production.

Learning difference affecting reading and written language processing.

Difficulty swallowing, often assessed and treated by speech-language pathologists.

A voice disorder characterized by abnormal pitch, volume, or quality of the voice.

Services provided to young children (birth to three years old) with developmental delays, including speech and language therapy.

The unsolicited repetition of words or phrases spoken by others.

A type of infant or enteral formula composed of free amino acids rather than intact or partially broken-down proteins. These are used for infants with severe allergies or GI issues such as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, as they are easier to digest and absorb.

A voice production method used by individuals who have had a laryngectomy, involving air pushed through the esophagus.

The integration of clinical expertise, patient preferences, and research evidence to guide therapy decisions.

Cognitive skills such as planning, organization, and attention that impact communication.

Higher-order cognitive processes including working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control.

A nonverbal communication method involving eye movement, often used in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).

A procedure using a flexible endoscope to assess swallowing function by directly observing the throat during eating and drinking.

Omission of consonants at the ends of words.

The smoothness, rhythm, and flow of speech, often the focus in stuttering therapy.

Practical and purposeful communication skills used in daily life, such as requesting or refusing.

A therapy approach that teaches individuals alternative ways to communicate effectively, reducing challenging behaviors.

A person-centered approach to voice and communication modification that helps align voice characteristics with gender identity.

A natural language development path where individuals initially learn and use language in whole, meaningful chunks or "gestalts" rather than single words.

A phonological process where liquids (e.g., /l/, /r/) are replaced with glides (e.g., /w/, /j/), commonly treated in speech therapy.

The process of identifying specific objectives for therapy based on individual needs and strengths.

The set of structural rules governing language, including syntax and morphology, often a focus in language therapy.

Interventions targeting the understanding and use of grammatical structures in spoken or written language.

Small units of language that add meaning to words, such as -s for plural or -ed for past tense, often targeted in therapy.

Movements involving large muscles, such as walking or jumping, which may indirectly affect speech development.

A therapy format involving multiple participants, promoting peer interaction and communication practice.

A belief in the ability to improve skills through effort and learning, encouraged in therapy to foster motivation.

The process of helping individuals develop skills or abilities they have not previously acquired.

A device that amplifies sound for individuals with hearing loss, often integrated into auditory rehabilitation.

Partial or total inability to hear, which may impact speech and language development.

Electronic or computer-based communication devices with complex capabilities.

Rough or harsh voice quality, often indicating vocal pathology.

Treatment considering the whole person, including physical, social, and emotional aspects.

Therapy activities assigned for practice at home to reinforce skills learned in sessions.

Excessive nasal resonance during speech, often associated with velopharyngeal dysfunction.

Reduced nasal resonance during speech, often due to nasal obstruction.

Global standardized terminology and definitions for texture-modified foods and thickened liquids.

The practice of integrating individuals with disabilities into general education or community settings.

A legally binding plan outlining special education services and goals for students with disabilities.

The clarity of speech and the ease with which it can be understood by others.

A planned program or strategy designed to address specific speech, language, or communication needs.

A feeding tube surgically placed directly into the jejunum (middle section of the small intestine), bypassing the stomach to provide nutrition, hydration, and medication.

The shared focus between two individuals on an object or activity, a critical skill in language development.

A motor speech disorder in children affecting the planning and sequencing of movements required for speech.

A tool used in therapy to assess what a client Knows, Wants to know, and has Learned about a topic.

A communication system that uses manual signs alongside speech to support language development and comprehension, typically signing only the most important words in a sentence.

Physical prompts, such as hand movements, used to guide clients in producing accurate speech sounds.

A learning style that emphasizes hands-on activities, often incorporated into speech therapy sessions for better engagement.

The process by which individuals learn to understand and produce language, crucial in early development and speech therapy.

A developmental delay in a child's ability to acquire language compared to peers, often addressed in early intervention.

Difficulty in understanding or producing language due to developmental or neurological causes, requiring tailored therapeutic strategies.

Surgical removal of the larynx, requiring alternative communication methods and specialized swallowing management.

The voice box, responsible for sound production and protecting the airway, often a focus in voice therapy.

A speech error where air escapes the sides of the tongue during sibilant sounds like "s" and "z," often targeted in articulation therapy.

The ability to understand spoken language, often a focus in auditory processing and language therapy.

The ability to read and write, frequently addressed in speech-language pathology to support academic success.

Excessive and often incoherent speech output, commonly seen in neurological conditions and addressed in therapy.

A radiographic examination of swallowing using barium-containing substances to evaluate swallowing safety and efficiency.

Average number of morphemes or words per utterance, used to measure language development.

The study of the structure of words and how morphemes (the smallest units of meaning) combine to create meaning.

Speech impairments resulting from damage to the brain or nerves controlling speech muscles, such as apraxia or dysarthria.

The use of multiple forms of communication (e.g., speech, gestures, AAC devices) to enhance interaction.

The absence of speech, often addressed in therapy for individuals with selective mutism or neurological conditions.

Latin "Nil Per Os" meaning nothing by mouth; a medical order restricting oral intake for safety.

The ability to tell a story or describe events in a logical, cohesive sequence.

The release of air through the nose during speech, often associated with cleft palate or velopharyngeal insufficiency.

A therapy approach that incorporates learning opportunities into a client’s natural environment and daily routines.

The natural variation in human brain function and behavioral traits, recognizing that neurological differences are normal variations of human development rather than deficits to be fixed.

Conditions affecting the nervous system that can impact speech, language, or swallowing abilities, such as stroke or traumatic brain injury.

A motor planning disorder specifically affecting non-speech oral movements, such as blowing, kissing, or sticking out the tongue.

A structured assessment of the structure and function of the oral cavity, including lips, tongue, teeth, hard/soft palate, and jaw.