Language is a complex process that involves the participation and interaction of all of its components: phonology, semantics, morphology, syntax and pragmatics. The acquisition and organization of these components are related to internal capacities of the human being and also to his environment. Any implication in one or more of these components brings consequences to language development in general. In Goldenhar's syndrome, different implications may affect the individual's ability to communicate. Thus, the purpose of this research was to describe the speech, language and hearing impairments found in a child with Goldenhar's syndrome and to provide additional information that might contribute to the apropriate speech-language and hearing intervention. The child, a female 8 years and 8 months old, was submitted to language, speech, voice, hearing and oral motricity evaluations. Deficits in the cognitive aspects of language were observed: spatial orientation notion, logical abstract reasoning, memory and attention; as well as deficits of oral expression and comprehension, phonoarticulatory organs, neurovegetative functions and hearing (bilateral hearing loss). Many cases of Goldenhar's syndrome have been described in literature. However, great part of them emphasize the description of genetic and fenotipic manifestations of the studied individuals. Hence, the speech-language and hearing findings of the present study cannot be generalized to all of the individuals with Goldenhar's syndrome, since this is a report of single case. These findings evidence the need for the diagnostic and interventive participation of the speech-language and hearing therapist as part of a multidisciplinary team, in cases of genetic syndromes.
Goldenhar syndrome; Communication disorders; Language development disorders; Hearing disorders; Facial asymmetry