Coral Care
Glossary

Adaptive Response

A reaction or behavior that changes depending on environmental conditions and/or circumstances.

Ankyloglossia

Restricted tongue movement due to a short lingual frenulum, commonly called “tongue-tied."

Apraxia

A speech disorder marked by difficulties in positioning speech musculature to perform speech, also called dyspraxia.

Article

Grammatical term to specify nouns like a, an, and the.

Articulation

How phonemes are produced when speaking.

Articulation disorder

Inaccurate speech is produced caused by errors in placement, speed, or coordination of the tongue and lips.

Articulators

The speech mechanism organs responsible for generating sound (lips, jaw, tongue, pharynx.)

Audition

Hearing.

Auditory

Relating to hearing, experience through hearing, perceiving sounds, and interacting with an environment.

Auditory Figure-Ground

Differentiation between foreground and background sounds and being able to focus on a particular sound or voice.

Auditory Perception

The ability to process and respond to sounds.

Auditory processing

The capacity to utilize what one hears.

Auditory processing disorder

(APD) A reduced ability to focus on or differentiate auditory information despite having a normal level of hearing.

Augmentative and alternative communication

(AAC) Various methods to use or substitute communication of individuals who cannot communicate independently.

Babbling

Verbalizations of infants, usually in the first year of life.

Barium swallow study

Utilizing videofluoroscopy to assess the pharyngeal swallow.

Base of support

The area of the body in contact with the supporting surface (e.g., the feet when standing.)

Bilabial

Referring to both lips.

Bilateral

Referencing both sides of the body.

Bilateral Coordination

The ability to simultaneously use and coordinate movements on both sides of the body.

Bilateral Integration

A neurological process that reflects the ability of both hemispheres of the brain to coordinate and work together.

Bilingual

Using two languages with equal efficiency.

Binocularity

(Binocular Vision; Eye Teaming) The ability to form a single 3D image of the surroundings with both eyes.

Bite

Forcefully closing the bottom teeth against the upper teeth.

Block

In stuttering, the temporary halt at the larynx, tongue, or lips when attempting to speak.

Body Awareness

To sense and understand physical sensations in the body and how they move; also known as kinesthetic awareness.

Bolus

The food that rounds after chewing.

Carryover

Consistent application of newly acquired speech or language techniques.

Cause-Effect

performing a behavior to achieve a specific outcome.

Cervical

Involving the neck.

Cocontraction

A condition where the muscles that surround a joint simultaneously contract.

Core

The middle/trunk of the body (usually refers to the abdominals and back.)

Cueing

to aid or prompt a desired response.

Deglutition

swallowing.

Delayed

repetition of original speech at a later time or lack of comprehension or production of a language by an expected age.

Dental arch

the natural curved structure of teeth in their normal position.

Dentition

collectively referring to natural teeth

Depth Perception

The ability to see 3D objects and assess the distance between you and an object.

Developmental

frequently produced processes that are characteristic of normal speech development.

Deviation

the extent a measurement varies from a reference point.

Diadochokinesis

the capacity to perform rapid repetitive movements of the articulators.

Diadochokinetic rate

the pace at which someone can perform repetitive movements.

Directionality

The ability to move oneself right and left, forward and back, and up and down.

Discriminative System

A part of a sensory system that evolves and allows one to distinguish differences among stimuli.

Dissociation

Separation; when one limb performs a movement without the other limb doing so.

Dysarthria

the collection of impaired motor speech disorders of the central or peripheral nervous system. Bodily functions such as breathing and articulation may be affected.

Dysfluency

any form of speech marked with repetitions and hesitations; known as stuttering.

Dyspraxia

Difficulty performing coordinated movements.

Echolalia

the tendency to repeat what is spoken normally occurs between 18 and 24 months and is unmodified.

Elicit

to evoke a response or draw out information.

Epenthesis

inserted an extreme phoneme into a word or words.

Equilibrium

A state of balance.

Expressive

ability to communicate aloud.

Extension

To enlarge/prolong/straighten something (e.g., neck, back, arms, legs.)

External rotation

Limb movement turning outward from the body.

Eye contact

looking someone in the eyes while talking.

Eye-Hand Coordination

The synchronous abilities of the eyes and hands necessary for performing activities such as hitting a ball, writing, and playing with toys.

Fight-or-flight response

An acute stress response/reaction to defend oneself from a potential threat.

Figure-Ground Perception

Differentiating objects from their backgrounds to simplify a scene.

Fine Motor

Movement of the fingers, toes, eyes, and tongue muscles.

Fine Motor Skills

Using hands and fingers in a controlled manner that is essential for handling tools and materials. Also referred to as dexterity.

Fixation

Directing eyes at an object and switching one's gaze between objects.

Flexion

Bending/shortening of a body part.

Fluency

the smoothness of phrases joined together during oral language with no or minimal hesitations or repetitions.

Focusing

Shifting one's gaze seamlessly between objects.

Form Constancy

identifying a shape's size, position, or texture.

Frenulum

a small band of tissue that connects two body parts together.

Frenum

the small band of tissue from the floor of the mouth to the midline of the inferior surface of the tongue blade that plays an important part in speech.

Gravitational Insecurity

the feeling of intense fear or anxiety to a non-threatening movement when head position shifts (e.g. tilting a chair backward unexpectedly).

Gross Motor

Motion involving large muscle groups.

Gross Motor Skills

body movements made with large muscle groups to perform activities such as jumping and running

Habituation

the neurological ability to diminish responses to continuous stimuli.

Hamstrings

The group of muscles at the back of the thigh that helps bend/flex and straighten/extend.

Hand Preference

favoring one hand over another to perform a movement or skill.

Hyperextension

excessive movement when straightening.

Hypersensitivity

an amplified immune response to sensory overload; can result in being fearful and overcautious (also referenced as hyper-reactivity or hyper-responsiveness).

Hypersensitivity to Movement

a feeling of being disoriented and unwilling to move in any direction.

Hypertonic

excessive tension of a muscle.

Hyposensitivity

lack of receptiveness to sensory input, usually seen as desiring intense sensations or struggling to engage (hyporeactivity or hyporesponsiveness).

Hypotonic

decrease or absence of tension in a muscle.

Idiosyncratic

a behavior distinct to an individual.

Immediate

instant repetition.

Inner Drive

self-motivation to engage in activities that support sensory integration.

Instability

lack of tension or stability when bearing weight.

Intelligibility

the extent to which speech can be understood with clarity by the average listener.

Intensity

the stress applied to normal speech to emphasize something.

Internal rotation

the inward movement of a limb turning toward the body.

Intregration

to incorporate different elements as a part of a whole.

Jargon

verbal communication that mimics the intonation patterns or speech.

Jaw grading

adjusting the degree of the jaw opening.

Jaw stabilization

actively controlling jaw movements, initially seen around 13 to 15 months when biting and holding a cup.

Kinesthesia

conscious perception of the position, movement, and orientation of body parts in a space.

Labeling

naming or identifying.

Labial

referencing the lips.

Labialization

lip rounding; pursing or protrusion of the lips.

Labiodental

referencing lips and teeth.

Language

a structured system of communication composed of sounds.

Language disorder

any challenge with producing or receiving linguistic cues.

Language sample

systematic organization of spoken expressions.

Lateralization

development of the dominant hemisphere in the brain, which controls skilled motor functions on the opposite side of the body, while the other hemisphere is primarily responsible for stabilization.

Pediatric Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is a form of therapy that helps improve motor skills and coordination for a person to successfully complete everyday tasks.

Adaptive Response

A reaction or behavior that changes depending on environmental conditions and/or circumstances.

Auditory

Relating to hearing, experience through hearing, perceiving sounds, and interacting with an environment.

Auditory Figure-Ground

Differentiation between foreground and background sounds and being able to focus on a particular sound or voice.

Auditory Perception

The ability to process and respond to sounds.

Bilateral Coordination

The ability to simultaneously use and coordinate movements on both sides of the body.

Bilateral Integration

A neurological process that reflects the ability of both hemispheres of the brain to coordinate and work together.

Binocularity

(Binocular Vision; Eye Teaming) The ability to form a single 3D image of the surroundings with both eyes.

Body Awareness

To sense and understand physical sensations in the body and how they move; also known as kinesthetic awareness.

Cocontraction

A condition where the muscles that surround a joint simultaneously contract.

Depth Perception

The ability to see 3D objects and assess the distance between you and an object.

Directionality

The ability to move oneself right and left, forward and back, and up and down.

Discriminative System

A part of a sensory system that evolves and allows one to distinguish differences among stimuli.

Dyspraxia

Difficulty performing coordinated movements.

Equilibrium

A state of balance.

Extension

To enlarge/prolong/straighten something (e.g., neck, back, arms, legs.)

Eye-Hand Coordination

The synchronous abilities of the eyes and hands necessary for performing activities such as hitting a ball, writing, and playing with toys.

Fight-or-flight response

An acute stress response/reaction to defend oneself from a potential threat.

Figure-Ground Perception

Differentiating objects from their backgrounds to simplify a scene.

Fine Motor

Movement of the fingers, toes, eyes, and tongue muscles.

Fine Motor Skills

Using hands and fingers in a controlled manner that is essential for handling tools and materials. Also referred to as dexterity.

Fixation

Directing eyes at an object and switching one's gaze between objects.

Flexion

Bending/shortening of a body part.

Focusing

Shifting one's gaze seamlessly between objects.

Form Constancy

identifying a shape's size, position, or texture.

Gravitational Insecurity

the feeling of intense fear or anxiety to a non-threatening movement when head position shifts (e.g. tilting a chair backward unexpectedly).

Gross Motor

Motion involving large muscle groups.

Gross Motor Skills

body movements made with large muscle groups to perform activities such as jumping and running

Habituation

the neurological ability to diminish responses to continuous stimuli.

Hand Preference

favoring one hand over another to perform a movement or skill.

Hypersensitivity

an amplified immune response to sensory overload; can result in being fearful and overcautious (also referenced as hyper-reactivity or hyper-responsiveness).

Hypersensitivity to Movement

a feeling of being disoriented and unwilling to move in any direction.

Hyposensitivity

lack of receptiveness to sensory input, usually seen as desiring intense sensations or struggling to engage (hyporeactivity or hyporesponsiveness).

Inner Drive

self-motivation to engage in activities that support sensory integration.

Intregration

to incorporate different elements as a part of a whole.

Kinesthesia

conscious perception of the position, movement, and orientation of body parts in a space.

Lateralization

development of the dominant hemisphere in the brain, which controls skilled motor functions on the opposite side of the body, while the other hemisphere is primarily responsible for stabilization.

Linear movement

front to back, side to side, or up and down movements.

Low Tone (Hypotonia)

decreased muscle tone, usually resulting in increased mobility of joints

Midline

the central dividing line of the two halves of the body.

Modulation

the brain's capacity to regulate activity.

Motor Control

the capacity to regulate and perform coordinated actions.

Motor Coordination

proficiency of multiple muscle groups to collaborate and perform movements effectively.

Motor Planning

the capacity to conceptualize, arrange, and execute coordinated body movements.

Muscle Tone

the natural tension when muscles are relaxed or resting.

Oscillation

the back and forth or up and down linear motion such as swinging or bouncing.

Perception

neural interpretation of sensory stimuli.

Plasticity

the brain’s capacity to adapt to sensory input/activity.

Position in Space

recognizing the orientation of letters, words, numbers, or objects.

Postural Adjustments

the capacity to reposition the body depending on the task performed.

Postural Insecurity

fear of body movement stemming from issues with balance or body image.

Postural Stability

the ability to sustain body position effectively, using major muscle groups, to complete an action.

Praxis

engage with physical surroundings, such as organizing and executing unfamiliar actions or behaviors to achieve a goal. Synonymous with motor planning.

Prone

the body is positioned horizontally with the face downward.

Proprioception

the subconscious sensation awareness of ligaments, joints, and muscles.

Receptive Language

comprehension of how words convey thoughts and emotions.

Rotary Movement

rotating in a circular movement.

Self-Help Skills

the ability to independently address personal necessities, like eating, bathing, and dressing.

Self-Regulation

the capacity to manage one’s level of awareness and emotional and physical reactions.

Sensorimotor

sensory information that is processed and results in a physical action.

Sensory Defensiveness

a child’s response characterized by pronounced overreaction or hypersensitivity to input.

Sensory Diet

the numerous multisensory daily experiences to fulfill needs. An occupational therapist can develop a program to help a person self-regulate better.

Sensory Dormancy

a diminished response or an increased threshold to sensory input.

Sensory Input

the continuous reception of information from outside stimuli in the brain and spinal cord.

Sensory Integration

the neurological process of receiving information from all senses and then arranging the information to perform a suitable response.

Sensory Integration Theory

a conceptual framework that connects brain function and behavior.

Sensory Integration Treatment

an approach in occupational therapy for a child to engage in fun and purposeful activities to enhance their sensory processing that helps with adaptability in daily life.

Sensory Integrative Dysfunction

the ineffective neurological information processing that can lead to learning difficulties.

Sensory Modulation

adjusting neural activity levels to maintain an overall balance within the nervous system.

Sensory Orientation

supporting internal motivation to selectively interact with stimuli and respond.

Sensory Processing Skills

the capacity to receive and interpret information from multiple systems (touch, smell, taste, hearing).

Sensory Registration

initial recognition of one sensory input that assigns emotional value.

Sensory Threshold

the unique response to sensory input within each system.

Somatosensory

the perception of sensations, including touch and body position awareness. Often called body sensing.

Spatial Awareness

perceiving the proximity of one’s body to an object; also understanding the connection of body parts.

Supine

the face is directed upward while lying in a horizontal position.

Tactile

qualities of the sense of touch, including pressure detection, temperature, and texture.

Tactile Defensiveness

the inclination to respond negatively to a light touch.

Tactile Sense

receiving physical sensations such as temperature, pain, and vibration via skin receptors

Tracking

following an object or a line of words with the eyes.

Vestibular

the sense of movement and perception of gravitational pull on the body.

Vestibular Sense

the system responsible for noticing changes in head position and other body movements coordinated by receptors in the inner ear.

Visual Discrimination

distinguishing between forms and symbols (colors, shapes, numbers, etc.).

Visual Figure-Ground

the ability to differentiate between foreground and background objects.

Visual Motor Skills

the capability to perceive and process information to coordinate physical movements (e.g., grasping, tracing, cutting).

Visual Perceptual Skills

the capacity to interpret and utilize visual information from the environment; lack of these skills can result in challenges like copying writing from a board or tying shoes.

Visual-Perception

capture information by the eyes.

Visual-Spatial Processing Skills

perceiving and interpreting sensory information from the eyes and body while navigating an environment (e.g., depth perception and spatial awareness).

Pediatric Physical Therapy

Physical therapy, also known as physiotherapy, is a form of therapy or treatment that can enhance or restore physical movement that was caused by an injury.

Base of support

The area of the body in contact with the supporting surface (e.g., the feet when standing.)

Bilateral

Referencing both sides of the body.

Cervical

Involving the neck.

Core

The middle/trunk of the body (usually refers to the abdominals and back.)

Dissociation

Separation; when one limb performs a movement without the other limb doing so.

Extension

To enlarge/prolong/straighten something (e.g., neck, back, arms, legs.)

External rotation

Limb movement turning outward from the body.

Flexion

Bending/shortening of a body part.

Gross Motor

Motion involving large muscle groups.

Hamstrings

The group of muscles at the back of the thigh that helps bend/flex and straighten/extend.

Hyperextension

excessive movement when straightening.

Instability

lack of tension or stability when bearing weight.

Internal rotation

the inward movement of a limb turning toward the body.

Lumbar

the area of the lower back.

Midline

the central dividing line of the two halves of the body.

Motor Control

the capacity to regulate and perform coordinated actions.

Motor Planning

the capacity to conceptualize, arrange, and execute coordinated body movements.

Proprioception

the subconscious sensation awareness of ligaments, joints, and muscles.

Range of Motion (ROM)

a gauge of the extension of a particular joint.

Reflex

an automatic and involuntary response triggered by a stimulus.

Symmetrical

the left and right vertical halves of the body’s symmetry.

Tactile Defensiveness

the inclination to respond negatively to a light touch.

Thoracic

the chest or upper back region.

Tone (muscle)

level of tension of a muscle at rest.

Unilateral

affecting only one side of the body.

Vestibular Stimulation

activating the bones of the inner ear and ear canals to provide information about the body’s position.

Weight shift

shifting of body weight from one side to the other.

Pediatric Speech Language Therapy

Speech language therapy is a treatment that supports people with communication difficulties, which improves their ability to communicate efficiently.

Ankyloglossia

Restricted tongue movement due to a short lingual frenulum, commonly called “tongue-tied."

Apraxia

A speech disorder marked by difficulties in positioning speech musculature to perform speech, also called dyspraxia.

Article

Grammatical term to specify nouns like a, an, and the.

Articulation

How phonemes are produced when speaking.

Articulation disorder

Inaccurate speech is produced caused by errors in placement, speed, or coordination of the tongue and lips.

Articulators

The speech mechanism organs responsible for generating sound (lips, jaw, tongue, pharynx.)

Audition

Hearing.

Auditory processing

The capacity to utilize what one hears.

Auditory processing disorder

(APD) A reduced ability to focus on or differentiate auditory information despite having a normal level of hearing.

Augmentative and alternative communication

(AAC) Various methods to use or substitute communication of individuals who cannot communicate independently.

Babbling

Verbalizations of infants, usually in the first year of life.

Barium swallow study

Utilizing videofluoroscopy to assess the pharyngeal swallow.

Bilabial

Referring to both lips.

Bilingual

Using two languages with equal efficiency.

Bite

Forcefully closing the bottom teeth against the upper teeth.

Block

In stuttering, the temporary halt at the larynx, tongue, or lips when attempting to speak.

Bolus

The food that rounds after chewing.

Carryover

Consistent application of newly acquired speech or language techniques.

Cause-Effect

performing a behavior to achieve a specific outcome.

Cueing

to aid or prompt a desired response.

Deglutition

swallowing.

Delayed

repetition of original speech at a later time or lack of comprehension or production of a language by an expected age.

Dental arch

the natural curved structure of teeth in their normal position.

Dentition

collectively referring to natural teeth

Developmental

frequently produced processes that are characteristic of normal speech development.

Deviation

the extent a measurement varies from a reference point.

Diadochokinesis

the capacity to perform rapid repetitive movements of the articulators.

Diadochokinetic rate

the pace at which someone can perform repetitive movements.

Dysarthria

the collection of impaired motor speech disorders of the central or peripheral nervous system. Bodily functions such as breathing and articulation may be affected.

Dysfluency

any form of speech marked with repetitions and hesitations; known as stuttering.

Echolalia

the tendency to repeat what is spoken normally occurs between 18 and 24 months and is unmodified.

Elicit

to evoke a response or draw out information.

Epenthesis

inserted an extreme phoneme into a word or words.

Expressive

ability to communicate aloud.

Eye contact

looking someone in the eyes while talking.

Fluency

the smoothness of phrases joined together during oral language with no or minimal hesitations or repetitions.

Frenulum

a small band of tissue that connects two body parts together.

Frenum

the small band of tissue from the floor of the mouth to the midline of the inferior surface of the tongue blade that plays an important part in speech.

Hypertonic

excessive tension of a muscle.

Hypotonic

decrease or absence of tension in a muscle.

Idiosyncratic

a behavior distinct to an individual.

Immediate

instant repetition.

Intelligibility

the extent to which speech can be understood with clarity by the average listener.

Intensity

the stress applied to normal speech to emphasize something.

Jargon

verbal communication that mimics the intonation patterns or speech.

Jaw grading

adjusting the degree of the jaw opening.

Jaw stabilization

actively controlling jaw movements, initially seen around 13 to 15 months when biting and holding a cup.

Labeling

naming or identifying.

Labial

referencing the lips.

Labialization

lip rounding; pursing or protrusion of the lips.

Labiodental

referencing lips and teeth.

Language

a structured system of communication composed of sounds.

Language disorder

any challenge with producing or receiving linguistic cues.

Language sample

systematic organization of spoken expressions.

Linguadental

referencing the tongue and teeth.

Lingual

involving the tongue.

Lisp

defective usage of sibilant consonants (e.g., /s/, /z/, /d /), usually from improper tongue placement.

Localization

to identify the location of a sound source solely by listening.

Mean length of utterance (MLU)

the average length of verbal expressions determined by a sample, usually by counting morphemes per utterance and dividing.

Mitigated

repetition of the initial statement with slight alterations.

Morpheme

the smallest significant portion of language.

Morphology

the study of how morphemes form words.

Munching

the earliest form of chewing.

Myringotomy

a surgical incision of the tympanic membrane to drain excess fluid from the middle ear.

Nasal emission

airflow through the nose, usually noticeable and could indicate an incomplete seal between the nasal and oral cavities.

Nasality

a classification including voices that have an excessive nasality component.

Negation

denial noted in syntax or semantics, e.g., no, not.

Object permanence

awareness of an object’s permanency.

Occlusion

the connection of the surfaces of the upper and lower teeth.

Oral cavity

the mouth.

Oral peripheral examination

inspection of the mouth to identify its efficiency with speech and chewing.

Palate

the roof of the mouth, including the hard palate and the velum.

Perseveration

the tendency to continue an activity once it has begun and unable to change or stop even when it may be inappropriate.

Phoneme

smallest sound unit in a given language that is distinct from other sounds.

Phonological processes

techniques to simplify speech when trying to produce mature words.

Phonology

the study of the sounds of a language (e.g. pauses and stress).

Pitch

frequency of a voice (e.g., high or low).

Pragmatics

a set governing language rules used in specific contexts such as to comment, request (objects, actions, attention), inform, etc.

Prelinguistic

behaviors believed to occur before developing conventional language.

Prosody

the rhythm of speech by modifying pitch, quality, strength, or duration.

Rate

the pace at which syllables and words are uttered.

Receptive

one who understands verbal cues.

Respiration

breathing.

Semantics

the study of meaning in language and relationships between languages.

Speech disorder

any deviation of speech outside the acceptable range.

Speech mechanism

body parts that contribute to speech production including articulators (lips, tongue, velum, pharynx, and lower jaw), the larynx, resonators (pharyngeal, laryngeal, oral and nasal cavities), and the respiratory system (lungs and airways.

Stuttering

a routine disruption in the regular fluidity of a speech pattern.

Syntax

how words are arranged in a sentence to convey meaning.

Tongue thrust

When anterior or lateral portions of the tongue connect with more than half of the upper or lower incisors, cuspids, or bicuspids or protrude between them.

Unmitigated

unmodified repetition with exact duplication

Utterance

A form of vocal expression at any pitch.

Velum

The soft palate that includes the uvula, palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal arches.

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