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AAC |
(Augmentative and alternative communication; augmentative communication) Refers to ways (other than speech) that are used to send a message from one person to another. We all use augmentative communication techniques, such as facial expressions, gestures and writing, as part of our daily lives. In difficult listening situations (noisy rooms, for example), we tend to augment our words with even more gestures and exaggerated facial expressions. |
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accent modification |
To increase the ability of a person to communicate more successfully by changing their production of the sounds, intonation and non-verbal aspects of a targeted language.
Accent modification is NOT to eliminate or eradicate a person's previous way communicating, but to increase a person's ability to communicate via a targeted language more understandably when they choose.
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ADHD |
(Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) A neurobiological condition seen primarily in the school-aged population that affects one's ability to maintain attention. |
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aphasia |
A disorder that results from damage to language centers of the brain. Individuals who were previously able to communicate through speaking, listening, reading and writing become more limited in their ability to do so. The most common cause of aphasia is stroke, but gunshot wounds, blows to the head, other traumatic brain injury, brain tumor, and other sources of brain damage can also cause aphasia. |
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apraxia |
Apraxia (also referred to as apraxia of speech, verbal apraxia or dyspraxia) is a speech disorder characterized by deficits in motor planning for speech.
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articulation |
Articulation refers to speech sound production. Speech sounds are classified according to the place of articulation, manner of articulation and presence or absence of voice. |
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articulation disorders |
Disorders of speech sound production characterized by substitution, omission and/or distortion of sounds. |
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ASHA |
(American Speech-Language Hearing Association) The national association that oversees the training, practice and certification of speech-language pathologists and audiologists. ASHA provides information for both professionals and lay persons regarding communication and hearing issues. |
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Asperger's Syndrome |
An Autistic Spectrum Disorder also known as high-functioning Autism. Asperger's Syndrome is characterized by obsessive interests, impaired social interactions, average to above-average intelligence, gross-motor clumsiness and communicative deviance. |
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audiologists |
A professional who identifies and manages hearing problems. They assess the presence and extent of hearing loss and recommend appropriate treatment that may include the selection of a hearing aid or training in speech production. |
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auditory processing |
In general, auditory processing is viewed as what a person does when his/her ear receives an auditory message and the central nervous system extracts the meaningful information from that message, eventually, comprehending or putting meaning to the message. Auditory processing, then, can be viewed as the various steps or "processes" involved once an auditory message leaves the inner ear and travels from the inner ear (known as the cochlea) through the central nervous system to the brain and then is acted upon by various components of the brain. |
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auditory processing skills |
The processes used to organize incoming (receptive) verbal or nonverbal auditory information. These skills include auditory discrimination between sounds, auditory memory, auditory perception, auditory synthesis and auditory figure-ground. |
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augmentative and alternative communication |
(AAC; augmentative communication) Refers to ways (other than speech) that are used to send a message from one person to another. |
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aural |
Pertaining to or perceived by the ear, as an aural stimulus.
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aural rehabilitation |
Focuses on reducing difficulties related to hearing loss and listening. The overall goal is to maximize communication success in everyday environments and situations. |
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autistic spectrum disorders |
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a term used to describe a neurological disability that manifests itself in a range of specific challenges in the areas of social interaction, communication and behavior. Autism is considered to be a developmental disability because it affects a person's ability to reach typical developmental milestones. Autism and other ASDs are also behavioral syndromes. Some behavioral characteristics that may be associated with ASDs include a tendency to engage in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, and atypical responses to sensory experiences. The specific cause of autism is unknown. |
| Central Auditory Processing Disorder |
(CAPD) A condition in which one has difficulty processing or interpreting auditory information when presented in a less than optimal listening environment; difficulty understanding and/or processing spoken language in the absence of hearing loss. CAPD is diagnosed by an audiologist. |
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Central Auditory Processing |
(CAPD) A condition in which one has difficulty processing or interpreting auditory information when presented in a less than optimal listening environment; difficulty understanding and/or processing spoken language in the absence of hearing loss. CAPD is diagnosed by an audiologist. |
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cerebral vascular accident |
(cerebrovascular accident, CVA) This general term encompasses such problems as stroke and cerebral hemorrhage. |
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Certificate of Clinical Competence |
The American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA)'s academic, clinical, and exam requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC)
Applicants for the ASHA CCC must have a master's or doctoral degree.
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cleft palate |
< embryology, pediatrics > A congenital fissure in the roof of the mouth forming a communication between the nasal passages and the oral cavity.
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cochlea |
The fluid-filled organ of hearing. Also considered the inner ear. |
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cochlear implants |
An electronic device implanted under the skin with electrodes in the middle ear on the promontory or cochlear window or in the inner ear in the cochlea to create sound sensation in total sensory deafness.
A microphone behind the ear feeds sound waves into a microprocessor carried on the body, which analyzes the data and sends information back to a radio transmitter that triggers the electrodes in the middle or inner ear to produce the appropriate electrical pulses. This does not enable the patient actually to hear, but rather to distinguish different sounds according to the neural sensation they produce. The first successful cochlear implant was performed in 1978 in Melbourne, Australia. Such devices are among many implanted aids which have been made possible by the advent of microchip technology.
Synonym: cochlear prosthesis. |
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cognition |
The mental process of knowing, thinking, learning and judging.
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cognitive retraining |
A set of therapeutic techniques that speech-language pathologists utilize to help patients who have suffered a brain injury regain function in areas such as attention, memory, and problem solving. |
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communication |
A process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior. |
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craniofacial abnormalities |
Congenital structural deformities, malformations or other abnormalities of the cranium and facial bones. Craniofacial abnormalities may have accompanying speech deficits. |
