Introduction to Communication Disorders: A Lifespan Perspective (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

by Robert E. Owens (Author), Dale Evan Metz (Author), Adelaide Haas (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Introduction to Communication Disorders: A Life Span Perspective, Third Edition,is a comprehensive overview of the fields of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, written in an appealing and highly readable manner. This best-selling text catalogs and discusses each disorder with an emphasis on how the disorder impacts the individual. It serves as a foundation by providing many viewpoints for the introductory student, offering personal stories from people with communication disorders and examining the field from a lifespan perspective. In addition, the text discusses the best models of good practice and approaches for assessment and intervention based on the authors' own clinical experiences. Each chapter describes a specific disorder, related assessment, and applicable intervention methods. Each disorder is also illustrated by the personal story of an individual with that disorder. More than merely a catalog, Introduction to Communication Disorders, Third Edition, brings students into the daily lives of individuals who suffer from a disorder. In addition to being packaged with a free student CD-ROM, the content throughout has been reorganized to reflect the needs of students in introductory courses and improve information the flow of information, specifically content on Anatomy & Physiology, Language Development. The new edition also features case studies at the beginning of each chapter, a new chapter on literacy impairments, instructors materials and a new companion website

From the Back Cover

Written in an appealing and highly readable manner, Introduction to Communication Disorders: A Lifespan Perspective has provided a multitude of students with a comprehensive introduction to the fields of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.

The Third Edition of this best-selling text catalogs and discusses each disorder with an emphasis on how the disorder impacts the individual. It serves as a foundation by providing many viewpoints for the introductory student, offering personal stories from people with communication disorders and examining the field from a lifespan perspective. In addition, the text discusses the best models of good practice and approaches for assessment and intervention based on the authors' own clinical experiences. More than merely a catalog, Introduction to Communication Disorders, Third Edition, brings students into the daily lives of individuals who live with a disorder.

Highlights of the Third Edition:

• Case studies introduce many chapters and help students more readily understand individuals with the accompanying disorder.
• New chapter targets literacy impairments with sections on reading, writing and related skill areas.
• Completely redesigned, the third edition has a new organization, expanded format and new pedagogical features that make the text easy to navigate and a pleasure to read.
• Content has been reorganized to reflect the needs of students in introductory courses. Information in the anatomy and physiology chapter has been modified and sections on physical development have been moved to the appropriate chapters, improving the flow of information.
• Information formerly found in the communication development chapter has been divided and placed in the relevant disorder chapters, improving the flow of information.
• TECHNOLOGY ADVANTAGE—A new Companion Website referenced throughout the text incorporates lessons and comes complete with dynamic instructor supplements including a Computerized Test Bank, and Blackboard (teacher's lecture notes), and CourseCompass.

Visit Allyn & Bacon’s Communication Sciences and Disorders SuperSite at www.ablongman.com/commdisorders. This site offers hyperlinks to dozens of related web sites, provides a glossary of terms, and offers study questions for each of the important topics in the field of Communication Disorders. No password required!

Companion Web Site:www.ablongman.com/owens3e. The Companion Web Site acts as an extension of the text, offering for each chapter guided study questions and links to useful websites on the Internet.

Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon; 3 edition (April 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0205487874
• ISBN-13: 978-0205487875
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #76,672 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I liked this book.., October 10, 2008

By	Deborah "Queen of Hearts" - See all my reviews

I took a class at college about communication disorders and the professor used this book. I didn't pick up on any bias or negativity like the previous raters stated. I haven't read the whole book but it's basically an introductory book about communication disorders and the book helps you to understand why different disorders are classified and diagnosed the way they are. I probably would not buy this book for reading on vacation but the class I took was interesting and this booked helped me to clarify some of the concepts that we were learning. A good introductory book about the subject, I think.

3.0 out of 5 stars It is an Intro book..., September 16, 2008

By	Kali Zyre "kalizyre" - See all my reviews

This really is an intro book. It throws a lot of terminology at you, barely scratches the surface on topics and doesn't get into much detail. It's pretty average.

The cd-rom with the book is about worthless, ironically the sound quality of the clips is poor, leaving you to wonder if you have a hearing problem of your own!

2.0 out of 5 stars A book with good intentions that misses the mark completely, April 21, 2008

By	H. Gienow "Disappointed student" (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Introduction to Communication Disorders: A Life Span Perspective (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

"Introduction to Communication Disorders" is a feeble book rife with inaccuracies. It attempts to take a relateable and emotional approach to sensitive subject matter and comes off as a biased and unacademic mess.

The information contained in the book often appears as if its the author's own interpretation off the top of their head. For example, in the chapter on augmentative communication, the author attempts to discern the origin of the sign for the concept "America" or the "United States". The author's hypothesis (and they make no attempt to disguise that it is purely their hypothesis) is that the derivation of the sign deals with fence-building and the European explorers' response to the vast lumber in the United States upon arrival in the Americas. Had the author bothered to consult a Deaf linguist, or any member of the Deaf community for that matter, they would have found that the sign represents the union of the states. Had they bothered to consult a history textbook for that matter, the author's would have found that European explorers arriving in North America were not particularly active in the lumber trade or fence-building at the outset of settlement. Their justification for the origin of this sign is a misinformed and unnecessary speculation on the part of the authors.

Instances such as the ones listed above are not uncommon. The book presumes things about the affected individuals that it discusses, often coming off as insensitive, belittling, and lacking in appreciation and understanding for individuals with Communication Disorders. It also presents biases on the author's opinions as to the best approaches for treatments and tends to generalize the needs of the client. When used to teach a university course, it makes for an ineffective tool, both because of the information it contains and the approach it takes to presenting it. The "thought-provoking" boxes every few pages or so that have the student ponder the material they have just learned are reminiscent of something found on "Bill Nye the Science Guy". They seem better suited for young children incapable of understanding the material on any other level.

All in all I found this book very ineffective, insulting, somewhat discriminatory and downright discombobulated. I don't know where the author's got their information, but it certainly wasn't of any use to me as a student.