These disorders may range from simple sound errors to not being able to talk at all. One out of twenty Americans has a speech or language problem. Language Disorders - problems in the ability to understand what is being said or putting words together to express thoughts or ideas. Articulation Disorders - problems pronouncing sounds and stringing them together.
Articulation disorders make a person difficult to understand.
Stuttering - problems with the timing or rhythm of speech. Swallowing Disorders - problems with eating and swallowing various food consistencies that may cause a person to choke. Some of the causes of speech and language disorders are related to hearing loss, cerebral palsy and other neuromuscular disorders, head injury, stroke, viral diseases, mental retardation, certain drugs, physical impairments such as cleft lip or palate, vocal abuse or misuse, and inadequate speech and language modes. Most often, however, the cause is unknown. Speech and Language Pathologists are specialists in human communication, development and disorders.