Speech-Language Disorders

• learning disabilities affect 1 in 5 people; 85% of those with learning challenges are dyslexic (have reading disabilities)
• about 50% of those who are dyslexic are at risk for math challenges
• greater than 38% of children with learning disabilities drop out of high school compared to about 11% of the general student population who leave high school
• about 60% of incarcerated youth, are illiterate and 85% of juvenile offenders are dyslexic
• those with reading and writing challenges show signs of low self esteem
• language impaired children are at higher risk for developing mental health disorders
• language challenges in the preschool years, can result in behavioural, academic, literacy, social and vocational challenges in later years
• an estimated 1 in 100 people are affected by stuttering
• approximately 1 in 10 Canadians have a speech, language or hearing problem.

There is not always a simple answer to this question. Though there are numerous causes for these disorders, sometimes, the cause is uncertain. 

Events may occur before, during or after birth such as oxygen deprivation, developmental changes, trauma, chronic ear infections, and genetic influences. 

Symptoms may reflect a different wiring of the brain or impairment. As examples, speech production challenges may be caused by differences in oral muscle tone, planning challenges to sequence muscle movements or oral structural differences. 

Delayed speech or language, may be symptomatic of broader conditions or syndromes such as Learning Disabilities, Cleft Lip and Palate, Down syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy or ADHD. 

Some disorders have psychological/emotional roots such as some voice disorders or Selective Mutism.