Speech and Language Challenges

More than three million people in the United States stutter. In excess of a million students from ages 3-21 receive school services for speech and language problems. Another five million Americans live with a disability from brain injury, which usually includes communication difficulties. Half a million teens in the U.S. between 14 and 17 speak a language other than English at home and have difficulty communicating in English at school. These numbers continue to grow, and more students are accessing speech and language assistance every year.

In Speech and Language Challenges: The Ultimate Teen Guide, Marlene Targ Brill addresses the various speech issues that affect all people, but specifically focuses on the concerns of young adults. Brill looks at not just the how and whys of each issue, but how to cope with them. The author first explains how normal speech and language develops, then discusses issues that occur as a result of physical limitations, brain processing impairment, or language barriers. The chapters in this book offer insights into:

• Stuttering and Other Fluency Challenges
• Speech Sound Disorders
• Voice Disorders
• Language Disorders
• Brain Injury and Communication
• English as a New or Different Language

Additional chapters explore technological advances that help young adults communicate better, public speaking tips, and suggestions for handling everyday social and family situations. Drawing on interviews with teens, first-hand accounts, and quotes from experts, Speech and Language Challenges: The Ultimate Teen Guide also includes a list of resources, making it a valuable tool for young adults and their families.