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Speech refers to the processes associated with the production and perception of sounds used in spoken language. Many skills are required for speech and language to develop effectively and there are many ways in which speech development can go wrong. Some people may have difficulty in moving the muscles that control speech, while others can't understand how a conversation works or the meaning of a sentence. Some people can't understand or use language whatsoever. There are different terms to describe different types of difficulty, including:

• phonological difficulties;
• articulation difficulties;
• verbal dyspraxia;
• dysarthria;
• semantic pragmatic disorder;
• Asperger's Syndrome;
• selective mutism.

Most people will overcome their difficulties with the right help, but 1 in 500 are likely to have severe or long-term difficulties.

Speech and language are terms that are sometimes used interchangeably. Speech involves articulation (how sounds are made), voice (the use of the vocal folds and breathing to produce sound) and fluency (the rhythm of speech). Language is the set of rules shared by the individuals who are communicating with each other that allows them to exchange thoughts, ideas, or emotions. Each language (spoken, written or signed) includes its own set of rules for phonology (phonemes or speech sounds or, in the case of signed language, hand shapes), morphology (word formation), syntax (sentence formation), semantics (word and sentence meaning), prosody (intonation and rhythm of speech) and pragmatics (effective use of language).

A language disorder is defined as difficulty with receptive language (understanding others), or expressive language (sharing thoughts, ideas, and feelings completely). When a person is unable to produce speech sounds correctly or fluently, or has problems with their voice, then they have a speech disorder.

Stuttering is a problem that interferes with fluent speech. A person who stutters may repeat the first part of a word or hold a single sound for a long time. Some people who stutter have trouble getting sounds out altogether. Stuttering is complex and it can affect speech in many different ways. One of the most frustrating features about stuttering is its variability and the problem can fluctuate from mild to severe depending on the situation, the time of day or for some other unidentifiable reason.

Articulation refers to movements of the articulators – tongue, soft palate, jaws, teeth, lips. Problems with any of these lead to an articulation disorder affecting intelligibility to varying degrees. Articulation disorders encompass a wide range of errors people can make when talking; for example, substituting a "w" for an "r" ("wabbit" for "rabbit"), omitting sounds ("cool" for "school"), or adding sounds to words ("pinanio" for "piano").

Lisping refers to specific substitution involving the letters "s" and "z". A person who lisps replaces those sounds with "th".

Apraxia (dyspraxia), also known as oral-motor speech disorder, is a problem with motor coordination or motor planning. A person with this speech problem has difficulty moving the muscles and structures necessary to form speech sounds into words.

Please click on the links below for a generic description of each employability skill that may be affected by limitations with speech.

• Oral Communication
  
• Teamwork
  

Click below to read about the possible effects of limited ability with speech on the specified skills as well as adjustments to practice/inclusive strategies.

• Speech and Oral Communication
  
• Speech and Teamwork

Resource/references:

Qatrain 2: Difficulties with Speech