Smith offers the following definitions of major terms that are important in the world of<unk>  and language disorders. * Alternative and augmentative communication (AAC): Assistive technology that helps individuals to communicate; may be low-tech or high-tech * Articulation disorder: Atypical generation of<unk>  sounds * Cleft lip: Upper lip is not connected, resulting in abnormal<unk>  * Cleft palate: An opening in the roof of the mouth that allows too much air to pass through nasal cavity, resulting in abnormal<unk>  * Communication: Transfer of knowledge, ideas, opinions, and feelings * Communication board: Low-tech AAC device that displays pictures or words to which an individual points to communicate * Communication disorder: Disorders in<unk> , language, hearing, or listening that create difficulties in effective communication * Disfluency: Interruptions in the flow of an individual's<unk>  * Expressive language: Ability to express one's thoughts, feelings, or information * Language: Rule-based method used for communication * Language delays: Slowed development of language skills * Language disorder: Difficulty/inability to comprehend/make use of the various rules of language * Loudness: A characteristic of voice; refers to intensity of sound * Morphology: Rules that determine structure and form of words * Otitis media: Middle ear infection that can interrupt normal language development * Pitch: A characteristic of voice; usually either high or low * Phonological awareness: Understanding, identifying, and applying the relationships between sound and symbol * Phonology: Rules of a language that determine how<unk>  sounds work together to create words and sentences * Pragmatics: Appropriate use of language in context * Receptive language: Ability to comprehend information that is received * Semantics: System of language that determines content, intent, and meaning of language *<unk> : Vocal production of language *<unk>  impairment: Abnormal<unk>  is unintelligible, unpleasant, or creates an ineffective communication process *<unk> /language pathologist: Professionals who help individuals to maximize their communication skills. *<unk>  synthesizer: Assistive technology that creates voice * Stuttering: Hesitation or repetition contributes to dysfluent<unk>  * Syntax: Rules that determine word endings and word orders * Voice problem: Abnormal oral<unk> , often including atypical pitch, loudness, or quality
Speech and language impairment
Language delay
Specific language impairment
Motor speech disorders
Language disorder
Nonverbal learning disorder
Speech delay
Infantile speech