If your child has been diagnosed with receptive, expressive language disorder, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. This is a common reaction, but you can help your child overcome this obstacle with the right information and support. In this blog post, we will provide an overview of receptive, expressive language disorder and offer tips for how you can support your child.
- Language disorders
- – Receptive language disorder
- – Expressive language disorder
- – Mixed (Receptive Expressive Language Disorder)
- Symptoms of language disorders
- Causes of language disorders
- Management of language disorders
- What you can do at Home
- The importance of speech therapy
Language disorders
Language disorder is a communication disorder that affects understanding and using language. There are several different types of language disorders, including receptive, expressive language disorder, expressive language disorder, and mixed receptive, expressive language disorder.
Symptoms of a language disorder can vary depending on the type of disorder, but common symptoms include difficulty understanding or using words, speaking in short sentences, and difficulty following directions.
Causes of language disorders can vary, but they often result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Management of language disorders typically involves speech therapy and medication.
Receptive language disorder
Receptive language disorder is a communication disorder that affects understanding language. This disorder can make it difficult for a child to understand what is being said to them, follow directions, and communicate effectively.
Receptive language disorder often results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Management of this disorder typically involves speech therapy and medication.
Expressive language disorder
Expressive language disorder is a communication disorder that affects expressing oneself verbally. This disorder can make it difficult for a child to communicate effectively with others, express their feelings, and participate in conversations.
Expressive language disorder often results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Management of this disorder typically involves speech therapy and medication.
Mixed receptive, expressive language disorder
Mixed receptive, expressive language disorder is a communication disorder that affects understanding and expressing language. This disorder can make it difficult for a child to communicate effectively with others, understand what is being said, and follow directions.
Symptoms of language disorders
Children with receptive language disorders have a hard time comprehending language. They struggle to grasp the meaning of words they hear and see (receptive language skills.) This includes people speaking to them and statements in books or on signage. It can cause problems with learning. It needs to be treated as early as possible.
A child with a receptive language disorder may have trouble:
- Understanding what people say
- Understanding gestures
- Understanding concepts and ideas
- Understanding what they read
- Learning new words
- Answering questions
- Following directions
- Identifying objects
Children with expressive language disorders have a hard time expressing themselves. The kid may comprehend what others are saying (expressive language skills.) They have difficulty communicating, and as a result, they are frequently unable to communicate with others how they feel and what is going on in their mind. Although the condition primarily affects either spoken or written language, it may also affect both types of communication. Children who use sign language might still have difficulties expressing themselves.
A child with an expressive language disorder may have trouble:
- Using words correctly
- Expressing thoughts and ideas
- Telling stories
- Using gestures
- Asking questions
- Singing songs or reciting poems
- Naming objects
Causes of language disorders
A variety of reasons might explain speech and language disorders. A language problem in a kid is frequently connected to an illness or disability, such as:
A brain disorder such as autism- A brain injury or a brain tumor
- Congenital disabilities such as Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, or cerebral palsy
- Problems in pregnancy or birth, such as poor nutrition, fetal alcohol syndrome, early (premature) birth, or low birth weight
Sometimes language disorders have a family history. In many cases, the cause is not known.
Some people may believe that children who learn more than one language do not develop speech or language disorders. However, a kid with a language difficulty will have the same difficulties in all languages.
Who are at Risk?
The cause often is not known, but children at risk for a language disorder include those with:
- A family history of language disorders
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Hearing loss
- Autism
- Thinking disabilities
- Genetic disorders such as Down syndrome
- Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
- Stroke
- Brain injury
- Tumors
- Cerebral palsy
- Poor nutrition
- Failure to thrive
Management of language disorders
Diagnosis
A child’s healthcare provider will ask about the patient’s language use. They will also look at the child’s health history. They may have physical exams and hearing tests.
Your child’s healthcare provider will likely refer your child to a speech-language pathologist (SLP). This specialist can help diagnose and treat your child. An SLP will evaluate your child during play. This may be done in a group setting with other children. Or it may be done one-on-one with your child. The SLP will look at how your child:
- Speaks
- Listens
- Follows directions
- Understands the names of things
- Repeats phrases or rhymes
- Does in other language activities
Treatment
To treat your child’s language disorder, the speech-language pathologist (SLP) will help them to learn to relax and enjoy communicating through play. The SLP will use different age-appropriate methods to help your child with language and communication. The SLP will talk with your child and may:
- Use toys, books, objects, or pictures to help with language development
- Have your child do activities, such as craft projects
- Have your child practice asking and answering questions
The SLP will explain more about the methods that are best for your child’s expressive language skills.
What you can do at home
Working with your child at home can help. Here are some tips:
Speak clearly, slowly, and concisely when asking your child a question.- Wait patiently as your child forms a response.
- Keep the atmosphere relaxed to reduce anxiety.
- Ask your child to put your instructions in their own words after explaining or commanding.
Frequent contact with teachers is also important. Your child may be reserved in class and may not want to participate in activities that involve talking and sharing. Ask the teacher about class activities in advance to help prepare your child for upcoming discussions.
The importance of speech therapy
A language disorder can be frustrating for parents and teachers and also for the child. Without diagnosis and treatment, children with such a disorder may not do well in school. They may also misbehave because of their frustration over not communicating. But language disorders are a common problem in children. And they can be treated.
If you think your child might have a language disorder, talk with your child’s healthcare provider right away. Research has shown that children who start therapy early have the best outcome. Ensure that the SLP you choose is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
The SLP will guide your child’s treatment. But it’s important to know that parents play a critical role. You will likely need to work with your child to help them with language use and understanding. The SLP will also talk with caregivers and teachers to help them work with your child.
Ask the SLP what you should be doing at home to help the process. The SLP may advise simple activities such as:
- Reading and talking to your child to help their learning words
- Listening and responding when your child talks
- Encouraging your child to ask and answer questions
- Pointing out words on signs
References:
https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=language-disorders-in-children-160-238
https://www.healthline.com/health/mixed-receptive-expressive-language-disorder
https://therapyworks.com/blog/language-development/home-tips/expressive-vs-receptive-language/
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/receptive-language-disorder
https://www.understood.org/articles/en/receptive-language-disorder-child-day-in-life
