Complications

The term "complications" often refers to secondary, undesirable outcomes or conditions that arise as a result of a primary disease, condition, or treatment.

In the context of speech pathology, the term "complications" typically refers to additional problems or conditions that can occur as a result of a speech or language disorder. Complications can be multifaceted and encompass various aspects of a person's life, including their psychological, educational, social, and occupational wellbeing.

Here are some common complications associated with speech and language disorders:

1. Educational Difficulties: Children with speech and language disorders often struggle academically. Language is a core component of learning, and difficulties can lead to problems with reading, writing, and understanding complex concepts.

2. Social Problems: Difficulty communicating can lead to problems with social interaction. This can lead to isolation, difficulty making friends, and other social challenges.

3. Emotional and Psychological Issues: Individuals, particularly children, with speech and language disorders can experience lower self-esteem, frustration, and embarrassment. This can lead to emotional and behavioural issues, including depression and anxiety.

4. Career Challenges: Adults with speech and language disorders can face professional difficulties. These can include difficulty getting a job, maintaining employment, or advancing in a career.

5. Functional Problems: Everyday tasks that require communication can become more challenging, such as ordering food at a restaurant or asking for directions.

6. Health Risks: In some cases, particularly in those individuals with swallowing disorders (dysphagia), there can be increased health risks such as choking, malnutrition, dehydration, and pneumonia from aspiration.

Complications can occur as a direct consequence of the condition itself, for instance, one of the most significant direct complications of a language disorder, such as expressive language disorder, is academic underachievement^[1]. Alternatively, they can be induced by the treatments used for certain disorders. For instance, long-term use of L-DOPA in Parkinson's disease can lead to dyskinesias or other motor complications^[2].