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communication disorders
definitions

Aphasia is a language impairment that affects the production or comprehension of speech and the ability to read or write.  Children who have hemiplegia or have had a stroke may have aphasia due to their brain injury. The aphasia may be very mild or may be so severe that communication by the child is almost impossible.  Aphasia may affect the child's expressive language, yet, the child may be able to understand the speech of other people.   Aphasia may co-occur with speech disorders such as dysarthria or apraxia of speech.

Links to additional information on aphasia

Disorders that may accompany or be confused with aphasia 

Apraxia of Speech is a speech disorder characterized by inability to speak, or a severe struggle to speak clearly.  Apraxia of speech occurs when the oral-motor muscles do not or cannot obey commands from the brain, or when the brain cannot reliably send these commands. Apraxia of speech is  characterized by highly inconsistent speech errors. Children with apraxia can be helped with intensive speech therapy.

Links to additional information on apraxia of speech

Dysarthria is a neurologic speech disorder caused by paralysis, weakness, improper muscle tone or incoordination of the muscles of the mouth.  Dysarthria is not a disorder of language.

Symptoms of dysarthria may include speech that is slurred, slow, and difficult to produce and/or understand.  The person with dysarthria may also have problems controlling the pitch, loudness, rhythm and voice qualities of their speech.  Associated problems may include drooling and difficulty chewing and swallowing.  Unlike apraxia of speech, the speech errors that occur with dysarthria are highly consistent from one occasion to the next.

Links to additional information on dysarthria

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The information contained in this Children's Hemiplegia and Stroke Association (CHASA) Web site is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment, and CHASA recommends consultation with your doctor or health care professional.