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Special Education

Notes or phonological disorders, or they may be difficulties with the pitch, volume or quality of the voice.
There may be a combination of several problems. People with speech disorders have trouble using
some speech sounds, which can also be a symptom of a delay. They may say see when they mean ski
or they may have trouble using other sounds like l or r. Listeners may have trouble understanding
what someone with a speech disorder is trying to say. People with voice disorders may have trouble
with the way their voices sound.
10.2 Types of Speech Impairment

Speech disorders are those disorders that affect the manner of speaking of individuals. They are
communication speech disorders. They may result from various physical and mental ailments. Read
on to find out all about the different kinds of speech disorders.
Someone who has lost the ability to produce sound totally is considered mute. Speech disorders
occur due to loss of the ability to use words in the relevant context.
Reasons for Speech Impairment: There are many reasons due to which speech disorders can occur.
Many times, the cause remains unknown. Some of the known causes include:
• Mental illness
• Brain injury
• Neurological speech disorders
• Alcohol abuse or drug abuse
• Genetic disorders
• Vocal abuse/misuse
• Hearing loss
• Autism

Speech disorder or dysphonia is a condition where the individual has difficulty in sound
production.

Different Speech Impairment: According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
(ASHA), following are the major types of speech impairment:
Spasmodic Dysphonia: This is the disorder where the muscles of the larynx or the voice box move
involuntarily. It is basically of three types:
• Adductor spasmodic dysphonia: Here, the vocal cords close involuntarily, cutting off some
words. This gives the impression of stammering.
• Abductor spasmodic dysphonia: Here, the vocal cords open involuntarily and result in a weak,
whispery voice.
• Mixed spasmodic dysphonia: Here, the cords open and close involuntarily due to which the
person appears to be stammering sometimes and speaking in a low airy voice at other times.
Aphasia: This occurs due to damage to the communication center in the brain. It is also called
Dysphasia and affects each person differently. Problems arise in the use of language while talking,
writing or listening. This is mostly a result of head injury, brain tumor, brain hemorrhage or stroke.
Stuttering: This is a disorder wherein the person repeats the first half of a word, or prolongs words
and syllables (generally vowels) or gives involuntary pauses in between the words. It can be both
developmental (that begins in childhood) or acquired (caused due to other disorders like Asperger's
syndrome). Sometimes, the stuttering may also be related to anxiety, stress, low self-esteem or a
childhood stigma.

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