Introduction to Communication Disorders: A Life Span Perspective

by Robert E. Owens Jr., Adelaide Haas, Dale Evan Metz

Introduction to Communication Disorders: A Lifespan Perspective presents an informative overview of the fields of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology in an interesting and highly readable manner. This book provides a solid foundation for future study by providing many viewpoints for the introductory reader, offering personal stories of people with communication disorders, and examining the field from a lifespan perspective. In addition, the best models of good practice and approaches for assessment and intervention are discussed based on the authors' own clinical experience.

Each chapter describes a specific disorder and related assessment and intervention methods. Each disorder is also illustrated by the personal story of an individual with that disorder. Reader interest and thought are stimulated by thought questions placed throughout each chapter and by margin notes that highlight important information. The suggested readings and Internet locations provided at the conclusion of each chapter provide additional avenues by which readers can gain further knowledge. Unlike any other text currently available, Introduction to Communication Disorders features an accompanying CD-ROM, a learning device and study tool, which presents many of the disorders you'll read about in sound and video format. In addition, self-study questions follow the outline of each chapter and highlight important information.

For anyone interested in communication disorders.

Genres: School, Nonfiction, Linguistics

607 pages, Paperback

First published October 25, 1999

About the author

Robert E. Owens, Jr., Ph.D. is a professor of speech-language pathology and director of the graduate program in speech pathology at the State University of New York at Geneseo. He is the author of a number of textbooks, book chapters, and articles, including Language Development: An Introduction (Allyn & Bacon, 2007), and the Program for Acquisition of Language with the Severely Impaired (PALS). He has presented more than 150 professional papers and workshops in both the U.S. and abroad.

Reviews

[Jess Moss · Rating 1 out of 5]

This textbook was horrible. Did they not have an editor? There were SO many typos, so many grammatical errors, and so many instances in which the book contradicted itself. It was rather ironic that as I was reading about people with communication disorders who struggle with things like forgetting to use function words, the text itself was leaving out function words. Furthermore, the authors tried to connect with the reader by using phrases like, "you yourself are likely at this stage," or "a career you will perhaps have someday." Can you say trying too hard??? It was so awkward. Furthermore, it alienated me as a nontraditional student when things were written such as "people from ages 18-23, as you yourself probably are..." I hated this book. I would like to volunteer to edit it for free, just so other students don't have to go through what I went through reading it.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

straightforward and simple, as an introduction should be.

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back on the currently reading list, though the professor this semester is not enamoured with it and did not choose it, so i don't know how much of it i'll actually be reading.