Overview

Several books on the general topic of introduction to communication disorders have been published between 2000 and 2009. Why then publish another one on this topic? The answer is that this new text satisfies the need for an introduction that is written with a welcoming and uniform style across chapters and that presents richly illustrated discussions that weave historical notes and contemporary discoveries into a cohesive account of the broad spectrum of communication disorders. Designed for beginning university-level students, this book provides essential information presented in a straightforward and engaging manner on a wide range of communication disorders found in children and adults. The author’s experience in teaching an introductory class is evident in the book’s student-friendly approach and its effective presentation of the core information in the field.

The book is organized into four sections. Section 1 provides background information related to communication disorders. The chapters in this section cover the topics of communication science, the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology, and anatomy and physiology. Section 2 is concerned with developmental communication disorders, and includes chapters on child language disorders, child phonological disorders, and fluency disorders. Section 3 covers acquired communication disorders. The chapters in this section describe voice disorders, cleft lip and palate, neurogenic communication disorders, dysphagia, and genetic-based communication disorders. Section 4 addresses audition and contains chapters on hearing disorders and aural rehabilitation.

Unique aspects of the book include the use of a recurring structure across chapters to assist beginning students to grasp new vocabulary and concepts while understanding the relationships among the different disorders. Each chapter also provides a focus on "past and present." Each disorder is introduced with a fascinating look at formative history, as well as up-to-date information concerning current theories and research. The book holds worldwide appeal and is written for an international audience. A portion of each chapter is dedicated to cultural aspects of communication disorders, as well as epidemiological information on communication disorders as found in English-speaking countries around the world, including Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and New Zealand. Websites listed at the end of the chapters guide students to opportunities to learn more about each topic. Many of these websites provide links to streaming video examples.

The sole authorship of the book ensures a balanced and uniform writing style that is missing from many introductory texts. INTRO is a clear and concise primer that delivers fundamental information about the variety of communication disorders that occur across the lifespan. For some, this information will serve as a springboard for pursuit of a professional career in audiology and speech-language pathology. But all readers will acquire an appreciation of the gift of communication that is so often taken for granted.

Free to instructors, more than 200 PowerPoint slides conveniently divided into chapters for ease of use and chapter quizzes with answers.

Review

• Tim Bressman and Lynn Ellwood, Canadian Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, (2010):
  "In 'INTRO', Michael P. Robb pulls out all the stops to make the disciplines of speech-language pathology and audiolgy come to life for the undergraduate students new to the topic. ... A very interesting and well-written book that would be well suited as a textbook for an introductory course in communication disorders. The textbook differs from other introductory textbooks because a single author wrote the text. This gives the book an appealingly uniform look and feel."

Audience

Primary Subject: Speech and Language Pathology / Textbooks
Secondary Subject: Speech and Language Pathology / General
Audience Level: Professional/Textbook - 90 Days

• Preface
• Section 1- BACKGROUND TO COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
• Chapter 1: Communication Science
  Objectives
  Terminology and Definitions
  Animal Communication
  History of Human Communication
  Models of Communication
  Forms of Communication
  Levels of Communication
  Current Research in Communication Science
  Communication Science on the World Wide Web
  References
• Chapter 2: Communication disordes and the Professions
  Objectives
  Terminology and Definitions
  The Professions
  History of the Professions
  Educational Preparation
  Professional Work Settings
  Professional Code of Ethics
  Cultural Considerations and Communication Disorders
  Current Issues in the Professions
  The Professions of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology on the World Wide Web
  References
• Chapter 3: Anatomical Processes of Speech and Hearing
  Objectives
  Speech Anatomy
  The Process of Speech Production
  Hearing Anatomy
  The Process of Hearing
  Historic Aspects of Anatomy and Physiology
  Cultural Considerations and Anatomy and Physiology
  Current Research in Speech and Hearing Anatomy and Physiology
  Anatomy and Physiology on the World Wide Web
  References
• Section 2 – DEVELOPMENTAL COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
• Chapter 4: Child Language Disorders
  Objectives
  Terminology and Definitions
  Language Development
  Historic Aspects of Child Language Disorders
  Types of Child Language Disorders
  Current Theories Regarding Child Language Disorders
  Assessment of Child Language Disorders
  Treatment of Child Language Disorders
  Cultural Considerations and Child Language Disorders
  Current Research in Child Language Disorders
  Child Language Disorders on the World Wide Web
  References
• Chapter 5: Child Phonological Disorders
  Objectives
  Terminology and Definitions
  Historic Aspects of Child Phonological Disorders
  Types of Phonological Disorders
  Current Theories Regarding Child Phonological Disorders
  Assessment of Child Phonological Disorders
  Treatment of Child Phonological Disorders
  Cultural Considerations and Child Phonological Disorders
  Current Research in Child Phonological Disorders
  Child Phonological Disorders on the World Wide Web
  References
• Chapter 6: Fluency Disorders
  Objectives
  Terminology and Definitions
  Historic Aspects of Fluency Disorders
  Types of Fluency Disorders
  Current Theories Regarding Stuttering
  Assessment of Fluency Disorders
  Treatment of Fluency Disorders
  Cultural Considerations and Fluency Disorders
  Current Research in Fluency Disorders
  Fluency Disorders on the World Wide Web
  References
• Section 3 – ACQUIRED COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
• Chapter 7: Voice Disorders
  Objectives
  Terminology and Definitions
  Historic Aspects of Voice Disorders
  Types of Voice Disorders
  Current Theories of Voice Disorders
  Assessment of Voice Disorders
  Treatment of Voice Disorders
  Cultural Considerations & Voice Disorders
  Current Research in Voice Disorders
  Voice Disorders on the World Wide Web
  References
• Chapter 8: Cleft Lip and Palate
  Objectives
  Terminology and Definitions
  Historic Aspects of Cleft Lip and Palate
  Disorders of Cleft Lip and Palate
  Current Theories of Cleft Lip and Palate
  Assessment of Cleft Lip and Palate
  Treatment of Cleft Lip and Palate
  Cultural Considerations and Cleft Lip and Palate
  Current Research in Cleft Lip and Palate
  Cleft Lip and Palate on the World Wide Web
  References
• Chapter 9: Neurogenic Communication Disorders
  Objectives
  Terminology and Definitions
  Historic Aspects of Neurogenic Disorders
  Types of Neurogenic Communication Disorders
  Current Theories Regarding Neurogenic Communication Disorders
  Assessment of Neurogenic Communication Disorders
  Treatment of Neurogenic Communication Disorders
  Cultural Considerations and Neurogenic Communication Disorders
  Current Research in Neurogenic Communication Disorders
  Neurogenic Disorders on the World Wide Web
  Video Examples
• Chapter 10: Dysphagia
  Objectives
  Terminology and Definitions
  Historic Aspects of Dysphagia
  Types of Dysphagia
  Causes of Dysphagia
  Assessment of Dysphagia
  Treatment of Dysphagia
  Cultural Considerations and Dysphagia
  Current Research in Dysphagia
  Dysphagia on the World Wide Web
  References
• Chapter 11: Genetics and Syndromes
  Objectives
  Terminology and Definitions
  Historic aspects of Genetics
  Types of Syndromes
  Assessment of Genetics and Syndromes
  Treatment of Genetic Conditions
  Cultural Considerations Regarding Genetics
  Current Research in Genetics
  Genetics and Syndromes on the World Wide Web
  References
• Section 4 – AUDITION
• Chapter 12: Hearing disorders
  Objectives
  Terminology and Definitions
  Historic Aspects of Hearing Disorders
  Types of Hearing Disorders
  Assessment of Hearing Disorders
  Cultural Considerations and Hearing Disorders
  Current Research in Hearing Disorders
  Hearing Disorders on the World Wide Web
  References
• Chapter 13: Auditory Rehabilitation
  Objectives
  Terminology and Definitions
  Historic Aspects of Aural Rehabilitation
  Treatment Approaches: Hearing Rehabilitation
  Treatment Approaches: Speech and Language Rehabilitation
  Cultural Considerations and Aural Rehabilitation
  Current Research in Aural Rehabilitation
  Aural Rehabilitation on the World Wide Web
  References
• Glossary of Terms
• Index

About The Author

Michael Robb, PhD

Michael P. Robb has worked as a speech-language pathologist at the Meyer Children’s Rehabilitation Institute in Omaha, Nebraska (now known as the Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation). Since obtaining his PhD, he has held faculty posts at the University of Hawaii, the University of Connecticut, and most recently at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand.

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