This digest discusses various types of communication disorders, their incidence, the learning difficulties associated with them, the special case of English language learners, and the educational significance of communication disorders. Communication disorders may result from many different conditions such as oral-motor difficulties or…

This brief paper describes automated language activity monitoring (LAM), an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methodology for the collection, editing, and analysis of language data in structured or natural situations with people who have severe communication disorders. The LAM function records each language event (letters, words,…

Questionnaire responses of 723 schools for severely mentally retarded, physically handicapped, communication disordered, and autistic children or nonvocal communication systems in England, Scotland, and Wales indicated a slow down in the trend of using nonvocal systems in all countries, with the Makaton Vocabulary predominating. (CL)

Included is a framework for determining if a young severely language delayed child is an appropriate candidate for sign programs; a discussion of specific sign objectives; and guidelines for classroom implementation and family intervention. (Author)

This paper discusses language and communication deficits observed in autism within the framework of the "theory of mind" hypothesis, which posits that autistic individuals have profound difficulty interpreting a person's actions within a mentalistic framework. Placing language and communicative deficits within a theory of mind framework…

Offers speech-language clinicians a framework for team decision making and service delivery by encouraging speech-language pathologists and their colleagues to consider the unique combination of providers, activities, and contexts (PACs) necessary to meet the specific needs of each individual with a communication disorder. Sample cases involving…

Introduces epidemiology as a health science that is essential as a complement to the basic laboratory and clinical sciences in speech-language pathology and audiology. A definition of epidemiology is presented. Principles of epidemiology, including causal criteria, and concepts such as incidence, prevalence, and risk are discussed. (Author/CR)

A study compared results of referential communication and perspective-taking tasks for 10 high-functioning autistic adolescents and young adults and matched normally developing controls. Autistic subjects showed significant communicative dysfunction and qualitatively different communicative interactions. Possible explanations: deficits in "theory…

This study collected normative behavioral data from extemporaneous 3-minute conversations of 50 typically developing adolescents. Analysis found the following high frequency behaviors: directing gaze at the partner, nodding and showing neutral and positive facial expressions, using back-channel responses, and giving contingent responses.…

Case studies of three kindergarten students with social difficulties illustrate an intervention program emphasizing a sequential peer-entry hierarchy in which children move from low-risk strategies to high-risk strategies and use props to facilitate the production of high-risk verbal statements. Increases were found in use of props and verbal…

A study investigated outcomes of 20 adults with chronic aphasia 2 years after discharge from an intensive treatment program. Results found 62% of those employed prior to aphasia onset were working at follow-up. Generally, respondents showed higher level of social integration and 85% indicated a positive life satisfaction. (Contains references.)…

The comparative translucency within and across 5 aided augmentative and alternative symbol systems for symbols representing 3 parts of speech (nouns, verbs, and modifiers) was investigated with 50 college undergraduates. Results indicated that translucency varies among systems or sets and among parts of speech. (Author/DB)

The communication skills of 8 children (ages 4 to 9) with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome FAS) were assessed and compared with non-FAS children matched for ethnic background, living situation, and nonverbal cognitive ability. FAS children showed abnormalities of the speech mechanism and inconsistent articulation, comprehension, and grammatical abilities.…