Child Language Disorders
About
A language disorder may be described as the abnormal
acquisition, comprehension, or use of spoken or written language. This includes
all receptive language skills (language comprehension) and expressive language
skills (language production). Receptive language skill refers to the ability to
understand incoming auditory or visual messages. Expressive language skill
refers to the use of symbols (words or written messages) to form meaningful
messages.
Children who have problems with spoken language frequently
experience difficulties learning to read and write, and children with reading
and writing problems often experience difficulties using language to
communicate, think, and learn. So, instruction in spoken language often results
in growth in written language.
Who can this affect?
Children may demonstrate developmental language disorders
(i.e., delayed language acquisition), or acquired language disorders involving
the loss or interruption of language function due to illness or trauma.
Therapy services for child language disorders may be offered
for infants through adolescents and in groups or individually.
Evaluation services
- case history interview
- hearing screening
- oral mechanism and articulation
- evaluation of child’s use and understanding of
language
Therapy services
- exposure to language models
- expansion of current language forms
- family education and involvement