Understanding Communication Impairments: A Guide to Symptoms and Improvements

In a previous post, "The Importance of Effective Communication for Women in Various

Social Settings", we discussed different communication styles, environments, and within varying relationship types. What happens when communication is just not happening? Or its not occuring the way you expect for it to? If its within the workplace, do you just reprimand or fire the employee? In relationships and dating, do you breakup or just ghost the individual? How about as a parent, with a young child where it seems nothing gets done? As a parent and elder sibling, there's been moments where it felt as if the nearest brick wall understood me better. But there are other days, where it's like "Oh okay, we're back to normal today! All is well!".

This is very much different than that overwhelmed mom that has had, or the manager that just quits on the employee, or even that woman that just goes ghost. I'm not advocating for any stance here, but it is important to raise awareness of instances where it may look like a person does not care or is coming across disagreeable, or uninterested when the problem is a gap in communication, or communication limitation.

This post is not about showing up as our best selves, but being able to help others show up as their best self by raising awareness of communication impairments and their respective symptoms, to provide support and advocacy for those in need. While I did study pscyhology and briefly worked with individuals requiring advocacy, its important to understand I am not licensed or certified to diagnose or treat anyone. Any stats provided are referenceable via the referenced link. Please feel free to contact us if there are any questions, concerns, or requests for collaboration.

Understanding Communication Impairments

Speech and Language Disorders

Speech and Language disorders can greatly impact the way we communicate with one another. Speech disorders are those that impact our ability to formulate the appropriate sounds to communicate our words of choice, while language disorders are those that impact our ability to learn new words or understand words used to communicate with us. They both negatively impact our ability to produce or comprehend various components that makeup the concept of speech.

Methods for Diagnosis and Improvement

- Engage speech therapists for targeted exercises.

- Utilize speech recognition technology for practice.

Neurological Disorders

Neurological disorders are those that impact the network of cells we refer to as our nervous system, and impair the ability to communicate. Although there are various neurological disorders, a few that can directly and greatly impact our ability to communicate with words. These typically include disorders such as:

• Aphasia

• Asphaxia of Speech

• Dysarthria

• Dysphonia

  
  

These challenges often effect cognitive communication, for instance difficulty with word finding.

Methods for Diagnosis and Improvement

- Use assistive communication devices, such as Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). This includes methods of communication that do not involve talking.

- Involve occupational therapists to enhance cognitive skills.

Intellectual Disabilities

Intellectual Disabilities are those that impact our cognitive and adaptive capabilities. Cognitive includes our ability to problem solve, analyze, learn, and judge instances accordingly. Adaptive capabilities includes our ability to complete every day life skills, socialize, and of course, communicate. Both impede our ability to adapt and function intellectually.

These disabilities can often present themselves through delayed speech development and difficulty in understanding abstract concepts.

Methods for Diagnosis and Improvement

- Create a structured learning environment.

- Use visual aids to enhance understanding.

Physical Disabilities

Physical disability are typical physical limitations that impact our ability to physically achieve something. In this instance, we refer to those phsical disabilities that limit our speech and language capabilities. These are characterized by slurred speech and difficulty with oral motor skills due to degradated physical movements.

Methods for Diagnosis and Improvement

- Explore alternative communication methods (e.g., sign language).

- Work with speech-language pathologists for tailored strategies.

Advocacy for Special Accommodations

Key Organizations

If you or a loved one has been impacted by a speech or language limitation and are not sure where to begin, there are organizations that will educate you on your rights and services within your local area. For more information, please check out the respective websites and advocate for your loved one or community today:

• The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

• The American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation

• The U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Disability Employment Policy

The policies implemented by the referenced organizations are equally important to understanding as it relates to the workplace and special accomodations. It is easy to downplay whether you need special accomodations in the workplace, when immediately asked. However, informing yourself of the relationship between phsical impairments and speech and language, as well as other non visible disabilities, will ensure you improve how you advocate for yourself and others around you.

Advocacy Strategies

• Engage with local advocacy groups to promote awareness.

• Participate in policy-making discussions to influence change.

  
  

Final Thoughts

As we come to the end of Mental Health Awareness month, its important to tie in limitations that not only lack visibility, but are impacted by disorders that may not immediately appear to have a positive correlation. In addition to, this can result in a group of individuals in great need of the appropriate level of advocacy and care to ensure their safety and sufficient quality of life.

Although we are not clincal professionals, we like to occassionaly highlight inefficiencies that may not be as immediate to us, to raise awareness of the collective responsibility that is needed by society, to address communication impairments. We hope this blog encourages you to continue to stay informed and engage in advocacy efforts that support others with communication limitations. This includes better educating yourself to ensure you are able to identify or assess when there is a possibility of a communication impairment.

Although technology is everwhere, communication is central to most things we do. This includes the workplace, at home, with friends, in remote or virtual social and work settings. Therefore, as we navigate through life, being able to read the room and differentiate between an unaddressable concern and a need for special accomodations to request services from the appropriate providers, will only help you to better show up for those in your relevant communities.