Terminology

Apraxia: a motor-planning disorder which results in difficulties sequencing the motor movements for proper speech production.  It can range in severity from mild to severe.  Apraxia is also known as dyspraxia or childhood apraxia of speech.  For additional information, visit www.Apraxia-kids.com

Articulation: the process by which the tongue, jaw, teeth, lips, and palate alter the stream of air coming from the voice box to produce speech sounds.  A person with an articulation disorder is unable to correctly produce sounds, syllables or words which affect his or her intelligibility.  Articulation also refers to speech clarity.

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD): refers to how the brain recognizes and interprets auditory information. When a child’s auditory processing ability is disordered, he is unable to properly analyze the words or sounds he hears.  Auditory processing disorders are unrelated to hearing impairment and children with auditory processing disorders typically present with normal hearing ability. APD is also referred to as central auditory processing disorder (CAPD).

Dysphagia: characterized by difficulties feeding or swallowing. For additional information, visit www.asha.org/public/speech/swallowing/FeedSwallowChildren

Expressive Language: refers to how well one is able to formulate and express his thoughts. Language expression can involve speech, gestures, or the use augmentative communication.  Children with expressive language disorder may exhibit difficulties with word retrieval, naming, verb tenses, defining words, and grammar.

Phonological Disorder: characterized by a child’s inability to produce developmentally expected speech sounds.  A phonological disorder is sometimes referred to as articulation disorder or speech sound production disorder. 

Pragmatic Language: refer to the social rules which govern language. Children with pragmatic difficulties often have difficulty using language appropriately in different contexts or environments causing them to appear inappropriate or poorly behaved.  It can also be referred to as a social language disorder. For additional information, visit www.asha.org/public/speech/development/Pragmatics

Receptive Language: refers to our understanding or comprehension of language. It involves the understanding of verbal expression, but it also includes the ability to understand sign language, writing, Braille and other forms of language.  Children with a receptive language disorder may exhibit difficulties attending to, processing, comprehending, retaining, or integrating verbal or written language.

Oral-Motor Difficulties:  can include oral apraxia or weakness (hypotonicity) which results in poor feeding skills.  Children with oral motor difficulties often demonstrate excessive drooling, difficulties chewing or drinking without spilling, or trouble blowing or sucking.