Speech and language disorders refer to problems in communication
and related areas such as oral motor function. These delays and
disorders range from simple sound substitutions range from
simple sound substitutions to the inability to understand or use
language or use the oral-motor mechanism for functional speech
and feeding. Some caused of speech and language disorders
include hearing loss, neurological disorders, brain injury,
mental retardation, drug abuse, physical impairments such as
cleft lip or palate, and vocal abuse or misuse. Frequently,
however, the cause is unknown. One in ten Americans has a
communication disorder because of stroke, an undetected hearing
loss, a stuttering problem, a head injury, a language disorder,
or some other disorder or problem that interferes with speech,
language, or hearing. An estimated six million children under
the age of 18 have a speech or language disorder. Boys make up
two-thirds of the population. Over one million children received
services for speech or languag