Written communication requires the development of several different skill sets at once, including language skills, cognition, and motor skills.
A communication disorder is a speech and language disorder which refers to problems in communication and related areas such as oral motor function. The delays and disorders can range from simple sound substitution to the inability to understand or use one’s native language.
If a communication disorder is affecting the progress of any one of these areas, it can result in a written communication problem. If a person is lacking in any one skill set, the entire writing process will become increasingly difficult.
How communication disorders affect written communication
There are many different ways in which these disorders can manifest including:
- Handwriting can suffer and even be illegible
- In some cases the mind will process thoughts at a much faster rate than the person can transcribe them into the written words
- Many people experience trouble when trying to structure and organize written thoughts
These issues become increasingly troublesome as educational curriculum becomes more complex and the student is faced with higher volumes of reading and writing related work. Many reading and writing courses require students to build upon previous lessons and work, and a student with a communications disorder will struggle to build the foundations necessary to move ahead to more complicated curriculum.
Students with written communication disorders often find note-taking to be a very challenging task. Taking notes requires the student to be about to listen to words, comprehend a lesson, and then translate that lesson into organized and helpful written words. Those skills might not seem difficult to the average person, but for a person struggling from a language disorder, they can be impossible.
Many people can mistake a communication disorder as a vision problem. The problem cannot be fixed with a pair of glasses if the individual is truly having trouble understanding language processes. Of course it is always prudent to be sure that the person can see well, but if the written communication problems persist, the help of speech pathology support should be considered.
If you or a family member have questions or concerns about communication disorders contact your local doctor, who will arrange for you to see a speech pathologist. We‘ll provide you with a straightforward, efficient and very effective treatment plan targeted to your concerns.
