Introduction to Communication Disorders: A Lifespan Evidence-Based Perspective

by Robert E. Owens Jr., Dale Evan Metz, Kimberly A. Farinella

Comprehensive yet compact and user-friendly, the fourth edition of "Introduction to Communication Disorders" takes a unique lifespan perspective that enables students to focus both on disorders and also on how these disorders impact on the lives of individuals. Through case studies, technical illustrations, best practices boxes, and other features, each chapter describes a specific disorder, related assessment, and applicable intervention methods - all with a foundation in evidence-based practices. More than a simple catalog of communication disorders, this relaxed and readable introductory text illustrates each chapter with a detailed case study. In addition, the new and completely revised fourth edition of this book has been updated to include new features, new research, and new material. New to this Edition: The addition of evidence-based practice (EBP) throughout the text provides students with the most effective and efficient assessment and intervention practices possible. Research updates and revisions throughout the text, including over 400 new and relevant research studies, keeps the book current and relevant in an ever-changing field. Best practices boxes in each chapter cover the ideal assessment and intervention process for each disorder discussed and offer students a quick and easy-to-read reference. Website references in each chapter allow readers to further explore topics relating to communication disorders on the Internet. New diagrams and figures illustrate the locations of various disorders, especially those with a neurological basis. New communication disorders have been added, including childhood motor speech disorders and other language disorders, making the text more comprehensive. A redesigned companion website is now more user-friendly and better helps students learn the material included in the text and explore additional websites of interest.

Genres: School, Nonfiction, Linguistics

600 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.