Speech and Language Disorders Glossary

See also: Verbal Communication

Speech and language disorders are surprisingly common, especially among children. In fact, estimates suggest that in the United States, around 3% of all children aged 3–17 years old has had some issue with speech, language or swallowing in any given year. This rises to 11% among younger children, those aged 3–6 years old. In the UK, estimates suggest that nearly 2 million children at any one time may be experiencing problems with talking or understanding words.

However, what do we actually mean by ‘speech and language disorder’? Indeed, what is the distinction between speech problems and language problems? And what exactly do some of the more common terms in this area mean? This page provides a glossary of commonly used terms related to speech and language disorders and related therapy, and some explanations of the differences between them. It also points to further information where that is available.

Where there are several terms for the same issue or problem, the glossary includes all terms and provides the definition under the term that is commonly used in the UK.

Glossary of speech and language disorder terms

Aphasia. A neurological problem that causes people to have difficulty with their language or speech. From the Greek meaning ‘no words’, the term aphasia technically means a complete loss of language. It was once distinguished from dysphasia (meaning a partial loss of language), but the term aphasia is now used for both, to avoid confusion between the two terms, and between dysphasia and dysphagia, a problem with swallowing. For more, see Dysphasia, Dysphagia, and our page on Aphasia.

Apraxia of speech. See Verbal dyspraxia.

Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). See Verbal dyspraxia.

Cluttering. A speech disorder in which thoughts seem to become muddled as they are turned into speech, possibly because the speaker is talking faster than their brain can manage. This results in very rapid speaking, with jerky or erratic speaking patterns. There may be pauses in odd places, or the speaker may use odd and unexpected words or blur words or syllables together. Also known as speech organisation disorder. For more, see our page on Cluttering.

Delayed speech. When a child lags significantly behind their peers in understanding or using spoken language. May also be referred to as speech and language delay. Delayed speech can be caused by problems with the production of words (a speech problem) or of understanding and using language (a language problem) or both. Delayed speech can be very frustrating for the child concerned, which may lead to behavioural problems. This, in turn, can delay a diagnosis of a speech delay. See our page on Speech and Language Delays for more.

Developmental language disorder. Previously known as specific language disorder, this is a neurological issue in which someone’s use of language and development does not match their age or intellectual ability. It is specifically the term used for a language disorder that is not associated with any particular biomedical condition such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease or hearing problems. This means that there is no obvious cause, but nonetheless the person concerned has a clear problem with the acquisition and use of language. Find out more in our page on Development Language Disorder.

Development verbal dyspraxia. See Verbal dyspraxia.

Dysarthria. A difficulty in speaking caused by weakness in the muscles used to produce speech (those in the mouth, face and jaw, larynx or voice box, and the lungs). It is often caused by conditions that affect the muscles in the face, such as a stroke, or those causing progressive muscle weakness, like Parkinson’s disease. It can therefore come on suddenly or develop slowly over time. For more, see our page on Dysarthria.

Dysfluency. An alternative term for stammering or stuttering. See Stammering.

Dysphagia. A problem with swallowing. While not technically a speech or language problem, it is worth knowing the term because of its potential confusion with dysphasia, originally a term used for a partial loss of language.

Dysphasia. The precise meaning is a partial loss of language. However, the term has fallen into disuse more recently, because it is hard to distinguish between dysphasia and aphasia in practice, and also because there is potential for confusion between dysphasia and dysphagia (a problem with swallowing). The term used now for either a total or partial loss of language is aphasia.

Dyspraxia, verbal. See Verbal dyspraxia.

Language disorder. When someone has problems finding the right word, or putting words together appropriately into sentences. Examples of language disorders include aphasia. Language disorders are distinguished from speech disorders, where someone knows what they want to say, but cannot coordinate the sounds or muscle movements. See also: Speech disorder.

Nodules. See Vocal fold nodules.

Paradoxical vocal fold movement. A voice disorder in which the vocal folds or cords close when they should open and vice versa. This makes it hard to breathe, and therefore to talk. For more, see our page on Voice Disorders.

Polyps. See Vocal fold polyps.

Retardation, speech. See Delayed speech.

Spasmodic dysphonia. A voice disorder in which the vocal folds or cords do not move in quite the right way sometimes. Instead of vibrating, they may tighten or spasm, making it harder to speak, or altering the sound of the voice. For more, see our page on Voice Disorders.

Specific language disorder. See Developmental language disorder.

Speech and language delay. See Delayed speech.

Speech disorder. A problem with how someone produces words or sentences. Usually with a speech disorder, the person knows what they want to say, but cannot coordinate the muscle movements or sounds to ‘get the words out’. Examples of speech disorders include stammering, dysarthria and cluttering. Speech disorders are distinguished from language disorders, where people have trouble finding or using the right words, or putting them together in sentences. See also: Language disorder.

Speech organisation disorder. See Cluttering.

Speech retardation. See Delayed speech.

Stammering. A communication impairment in which speech gets ‘stuck’, and the speaker cannot move the sentence forward. It is not a problem with understanding, but expression. The speaker knows what they want to say, but are unable to get the word out of their mouth. Also known as stuttering in the US. For more, see our pages on Stammering and Coping with Stammering. You may also be interested in our pages for parents on Parenting Children with a Stammer, and for teachers, Teaching People Who Have a Stammer.

Stuttering. See Stammering.

Verbal apraxia. See Verbal dyspraxia.

Verbal dyspraxia. A problem in which people have trouble coordinating the movements required to speak or talk. People with verbal dyspraxia generally do not have trouble understanding language, but cannot always manage to get the words out coherently. It seems to be caused by a disruption between the messages from the brain, and the muscles required to speak, similar to the problem in dyspraxia itself. Also known as verbal apraxia, apraxia of speech, development verbal dyspraxia and childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). For more, see our page on Verbal Dyspraxia, and for a broader explanation, our page on Dyspraxia because the two conditions are closely related.

Vocal fold nodules. Little hard growths on your vocal folds or cords. They look a little like callouses, and interfere in how your vocal cords move. This in turn affects the sound of your voice, or your ability to use it extensively. For more, see our page on Voice Disorders.

Vocal fold paralysis. A voice disorder in which one or both of the vocal folds or chords are unable to move. For more, see our page on Voice Disorders.

Vocal fold polyps. Growths on your vocal folds or cords, a bit like vocal fold nodules, but looking more like blisters. They are generally longer and thinner than nodules, but have a similar effect on the voice. For more, see our page on Voice Disorders.

Voice disorder. A problem affecting how the voice is produced. This is most commonly a problem with the larynx or voice box, which may range from temporary hoarseness through to longer term problems. Voice disorders are usually only an issue insofar as they interfere with speech, and become barriers to communication. However, they may also mask underlying conditions that might need further investigation and treatment. For more, see our page on Voice Disorders.


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