Human Communication Disorders

Human Communication Disorders is the leading introductory text in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology that contains contributions from leading authorities which bring life to the world of people with communication disorders and excite students about the challenges and rewards of helping them.

The sixth edition of Human Communication Disorders continues this text's tradition of focusing on understanding the underlying nature of communication problems. While thoroughly explaining the current theory and research, it also presents the "nuts and bolts" of clinical therapy at the depth of detail students require. The text covers a broad range of topics in fifteen chapters that are arranged by major focus into four parts. Part One, "Introduction," provides an overview of the discipline — its history, philosophy, ethics, professions, career opportunities, and legal and legislative foundations. Part Two, "Normal Aspects of Human Communication," provides information about theoretical and scientific principles that underlie the communication process. Part Three, "Disorders of Speech, Language, and Fluency," considers each of these major categories. Each chapter places the disorders in perspective, discusses basic theories of causation, introduces identifying characteristics, and presents an overview of procedures for evaluation and treatment. Part Four, "Medical Aspects of Human Communication," provides an introduction to communication disorders that are medically related. This section of the text includes hearing problems, voice disorders, cleft palate and associated craniofacial abnormalities, and communication disorders resulting from neurogenic impairments. A number of the chapters include discussions of cultural and linguistic diversity as well.

The individual chapters are written by recognized experts in the fields of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. The first-generation authors of chapters for the first editions of the text have selected the next generation of authors to continue the traditions of currency and expertise. All chapters in the prior edition were submitted for peer reviews and authors have updated their chapters in responses to input. The book has been recommended as appropriate preparation for the clinical certification examination in Speech Pathology given by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.