Speech Pathology Glossary
100 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026
prosody
The rhythm, stress, and intonation patterns of speech that convey meaning and emotional content beyond individual word pronunciation.
prosody
The rhythm, stress, and intonation patterns of speech that convey meaning and emotional content beyond individual word p...
recurrent respiratory papillomatosis
A rare condition involving benign growths in the airway that can significantly affect voice quality and breathing.
resonance disorder
A speech disorder affecting the modification of sound by the vocal tract cavities, resulting in abnormal nasal or oral r...
resonant voice therapy
A voice treatment approach that emphasizes forward resonance and easy phonation to reduce vocal trauma and improve voice...
rigid endoscopy
Laryngeal examination technique using a straight, inflexible endoscope for detailed visualization of vocal fold structur...
s/z ratio
Clinical screening tool comparing voiceless /s/ to voiced /z/ sustained production times to detect potential voice disor...
semantic feature analysis
A word-finding treatment technique that uses systematic analysis of word meanings and relationships.
shimmer
Acoustic parameter measuring cycle-to-cycle variation in vocal amplitude, used to assess voice quality and laryngeal pat...
SLCN
Speech, Language and Communication Needs, referring to difficulties that affect a person's ability to communicate effect...
SOAP note
A structured documentation format used in healthcare settings with Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan sections.
social communication disorder
A diagnostic category involving persistent difficulties with pragmatic language use in social contexts.
spasmodic dysphonia
Neurological voice disorder characterized by involuntary vocal fold spasms causing voice breaks, strain, or breathiness.
spirometry
A pulmonary function test measuring lung capacity and airflow, essential for assessing respiratory support for speech pr...
stimulability
A diagnostic technique measuring a client's ability to produce target sounds with various types and levels of clinician...
stridency deletion
A phonological process involving the omission of strident sounds, particularly fricatives and affricates, in children's...
Therapy Outcome Measure
Standardized rating scale measuring treatment outcomes across four domains: impairment, activity, participation, and wel...
velar fronting
A phonological process where velar consonants are replaced with alveolar consonants in children's speech development.
velopharyngeal closure
Complete sealing of the nasal cavity from the oral cavity achieved by velum elevation and pharyngeal wall constriction.
velopharyngeal insufficiency
Inadequate closure of the velopharyngeal port during speech, resulting in hypernasality and nasal air emission.
VFSS
Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study, a radiographic examination of swallowing function using real-time X-ray imaging.
videostroboscopy
Instrumental assessment technique using stroboscopic light to visualize vocal fold vibration patterns during voice evalu...
vocal fry
A voice quality characterized by irregular, low-pitched vocal fold vibrations producing a creaky or rattling sound.
vocal hygiene
Preventive practices and lifestyle modifications to maintain healthy voice production and prevent vocal trauma.
vocal loading
Cumulative voice use that may cause vocal fatigue or damage, often addressed through voice conservation strategies.