Main description:

This book links theoretical approaches of logopedics to clinical practices of speech and language therapy in Finland and in the Finnish language. It provides readers with interesting examples of and insights into the communication challenges in a language that differ substantially from those used in the majority of published reports in the field of language and communication disorders. With a short introduction to the Finnish language, and to the assessments methods used by Finnish speech and language therapists, the topics of the book cover themes such as speech and language development and its disorders, augmentative and alternative communication, acquired neurological communication disorders, hearing disorders and voice screening. Most of the authors of the 13 chapters are speech and language therapists by their basic education, and currently doing research in the field of logopedics in Finland.

Contents:

Part I Introduction

1. Challenges of Logopedics and Speech-language Therapy in Finland - Kaisa Launonen & Anu Klippi

2. Aspects of the Structure of Finnish - Marja-Liisa Helasvuo

3. Tests and Assessment Methods Currently Used and New Ones Desired by Finnish Speech and Language Therapists - Kerttu Huttunen, Leila Paavola & Anne Suvanto

Part II Characteristics of Finnish and the Study of Child Speech and Language Disorders

4. Normal and Disordered Phonological Acquisition in Finnish - Pirjo Kulju & Tuula Savinainen-Makkonen

5. Logopedic Research on Communication Difficulties in Childhood - Pirjo Korpilahti & Kaisu Heinanen

6. Alternative Communication Form as a Genuinely Shared Language - Kaisa Launonen

Part III Characteristics of Finnish and the Study of Adult Speech and Language Disorders

7. Text Production of Finnish Speakers with Aphasia - Anna-Maija Korpijaakko-Huuhka

8. Semantic Impairment in Finnish-speaking People with Alzheimer's Disease: A Review - Seija Pekkala

9. The Interplay between Verbal and Nonverbal Behaviour in Aphasic Word Search in Conversation - Anu Klippi & Liisa Ahopalo

Part IV The Development of Speech and Language in Hearing Disorders, Sign Language and Cochlear Implant

10. The Acquisition of Finnish Sign Language - Ritva Takkinen

11. Children with Cochlear Implants Acquiring the Finnish Language - Eila Lonka

12. Speech Intelligibility in Hearing Impairment - Kerttu Huttunen

Part V Voice Disorders

13. Experiences from Six Years of Screening for Voice Disorders among Teacher Students - Susanna Simberg & Eeva Sala