When we
first see a child for speech-language therapy, two of the main areas we assess
are his/her language and articulation abilities. Often, a child may have difficulties in both
areas, while for some children, one of these skills is strong while the other
is weak. The therapist needs to sort
this out in order to help the child become a better communicator.
What is a Language Disorder?
Language
is typically divided into two areas, receptive and expressive language.
Receptive Language
Receptive language involves a child’s ability to: 1. listen
to, discriminate and remember auditory information, 2. understand questions and
directions, and 3. comprehend age-level vocabulary and concepts.
A receptive
language disorder may not be discovered until a child is a little older, but it
can be the reason for the following: 1. the child just doesn’t pick up on
things as quickly as expected, 2. the child doesn’t understand how to interact
with friends, 3. some difficulties paying attention and listening are observed,
4. learning academic tasks is difficult, and 5. there are delays in talking.
Expressive Language
Expressive language refers to a child’s ability to: 1. develop
words for speaking, 2. put words together into phrases and, eventually,
sentences, 3. use age-appropriate grammar skills, 4. search for the words needed
for efficient self-expression, and 5. express self in an efficient and
organized fashion.
An
expressive language disorder is usually discovered by two years of age if a
child does not begin speaking when expected or if the development of words and
phrases is slow. It can also show up
later as language demands become more complex.
Delayed expressive language can cause the following: 1. a child who
turns into him/herself due to a lack of ability to communicate, 2. frustration
and tantruming, as using words for self-expression is not possible, 3. delayed
social skills, 4. later, difficulty with grammar and searching for words, and
5. still later, writing difficulties.
What is an Articulation Disorder?
“Articulation”
refers to speech production. Children typically
develop speech sounds in an organized and predictable fashion, but there is a
wide range of typical speech sound development.
A disorder occurs when a child: 1. has physical difficulty producing and
sequencing speech sounds (e.g., possibly due to conditions such as verbal
apraxia or dysarthria), 2. makes a lot of sound errors, such as substitutions
or omissions and has trouble being understood.
Articulation
disorders can lead to the following: 1. low self-confidence and self-esteem, 2.
“shyness”, 3. Frustration, 4. social difficulties, and 5. difficulties with
reading and spelling.
Good News!
Here’s the
good news! We can sort through these and
other communication problems and help your child develop skills that will be indispensable not only now, but in the future.
Labels: Articulation, For Parents, Language, Parents, Speech Therapy
