It’s a misconception that language disorders are related to problems with speaking clearly, producing sounds, hearing or intelligence. Language disorders are in actuality a subtype of social communication disorders related to the ability to use and process spoken language.
Types of Language Disorders
There are three types of language disorders:
- Expressive language disorders are when someone has a hard time putting words together into sentences that make sense. Symptoms of these disorders tend to present early on in childhood, like if a child is late to start talking or uses very few words.
- Receptive language disorders occur when someone has trouble making meaning of what someone else is saying, and may in turn respond in ways that don’t make sense. Signs of receptive language disorders show up later and present as difficulty following directions and being unresponsive to direct addresses.
- Mixed receptive expressive language problems mean someone struggles with both expressive and receptive language skills.
Symptoms of Language Disorders
Below are some of the symptoms of expressive and receptive language disorders, which can range from mild to severe.
Symptoms of expressive disorders include:
- Trouble putting words together into sentences
- Using very simple sentence structures
- Difficulty finding the right words
- Using placeholder words like “um”
- Vocabulary below that of peers
- Leaving key words out of sentences
- Repeating certain phrases or words
- Using tenses improperly
Symptoms of receptive disorders include:
- Trouble following what others are saying
- Difficulty following verbal instructions
- Problems organizing thoughts
Boosting Your Child’s Language Skills
In order to successfully learn to use language, children need to be raised in an environment that fosters this development. Whether your child has been diagnosed with a language disorder or not, it’s important for you to help them develop these essential skills. To help your child learn language, the CDC recommends:
- Responding to your baby’s first babbles, gurgles and gestures
- Repeating what your baby says and adding to it
- Talking about the things your child can see around them
- Asking questions and listening to the answers
- Reading books and telling stories
- Singing songs and rhymes
It’s also important to be aware of how your child’s speech and language skills develop compared to their peers at The Georgia Academy of Early Learning. While all children develop on different schedules, a significant delay could indicate an underlying problem. It’s best to see a specialist early just to be safe.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a speech and language expert, call ENT of Athens today.