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Topic 1: Introduction to Organic Communication Disorders 

GOAL: You will gain an understanding of the meaning of the term "organic communication disorder" and develop some basic knowledge regarding birth defects in general, and clefts in particular. 

OBJECTIVES: 

  1. What does the title of the course mean to you? 
  2. What individuals present with organically based communication disorders?
  3. How common are birth defects? 
  4. What constitutes a birth defect? 
  5. What are some types of birth defects?
  6. What is clefting? 
  7. What is the incidence of clefting?

KEY CONCEPTS:

Organic Communication Disorder 

Birth Defect 

Frequency of Birth Defects 

Clefts

Incidence 

Prevalence

To complete this topic successfully, please complete the following activities in the order shown below:

Lesson 1: Course Relevance to Speech Language Pathology

icon READING: Kummer, A., Preface: xxv -xxvii 

icon ONLINE LESSON: Course Relevance 

Lesson 2: Birth Defects 

icon READING:

March of Dimes web site: Click on the "birth defects" link and read that thoroughly. Then peruse the extensive list of birth defects and genetic conditions for which the March of Dimes has information. 

icon ONLINE LESSON: Birth Defects 

icon GROUP DISCUSSION: Your experience with birth defects

icon ASSIGNMENT: Frequency of birth defects

icon ASSIGNMENT: Communication problems with Cystic Fibrosis 

Lesson 3: Introduction to Clefting/Craniofacial Anomalies

icon READING: Kummer, A., Chapter 2, pp. 37-38: "What is a Cleft?" 

icon ONLINE LESSON: Clefting/Craniofacial Anomalies 

icon ASSIGNMENT: Individuals with clefts