A language disorder can truly impact one’s ability to communicate effectively, affecting both their personal and professional lives.
There are more than 5 million people suffering from communication disabilities in India, including language disorders, but only some of them are aware of speech therapy that can help you get better and leave the disorder behind.
Speech therapy plays an important role in helping people recover from these disorders by providing them with tools and strategies that are needed to improve communication.
As the owner of a speech therapy clinic myself with more than 22 years of experience I have helped hundreds of patients to recover from language disorders with speech therapy. However, I don’t want you or anyone in your family to face this disorder. This is why, in this blog, I am going to tell you about some basic preventions and causes of language disorders that’ll help you with the case easily and help you run for treatment as soon as possible (If any).
What Is A Language Disorder?
A language disorder is a communication disorder that affects a person’s ability to understand or express language. This can manifest as difficulty in forming sentences, understanding spoken or written language, or using language socially. Language disorders are distinct from speech disorders, which affect the physical production of sounds.
Here are some common language disorders Patients have dealt with:-
- Expressive Language Disorder: Difficulty in conveying or expressing information.
- Receptive Language Disorder: Trouble understanding spoken or written language.
- Mixed Receptive-Expressive Language Disorder: A combination of both expressive and receptive challenges.
As a speech therapist, here’s how I would explain the symptoms and causes of language disorder:
Symptoms
- If your child is struggling to pick up new words or seems to have a smaller vocabulary than their peers, this could be a sign of a language disorder.
- Using shorter, simpler sentences may indicate difficulty in putting words together to form complete thoughts.
- If you notice your child often has trouble following simple instructions, this might be a sign that they’re struggling to understand language.
- If your child finds it challenging to start or maintain conversations, it might mean they’re facing difficulties with language skills.
- Struggling to comprehend what others are saying can be a significant indicator of a language disorder.
- If your child frequently responds in ways that don’t make sense in a conversation, this could be a red flag for a language processing issue.
- Speaking later than expected for their age can be one of the earliest signs of a language disorder.
Causes
- Genetics: Often, language disorders run in families. If your family has a history of language difficulties, your child might be at higher risk.
- Brain Development Issues: Sometimes, a language disorder can be linked to problems in brain development or conditions like autism spectrum disorder.
- Hearing Problems: Hearing loss or chronic ear infections can disrupt language development, making it harder for your child to pick up on sounds and words.
- Limited Language Exposure: If a child hasn’t been exposed to enough language during their early years, this can hinder their language development.
- Developmental Delays: Other developmental delays can also impact your child’s ability to learn and use language effectively.
- Brain Injury: In some cases, a language disorder can result from brain injury due to an accident, illness, or other trauma.
What Do I Do If My Child Has Symptoms Of Language Disorder?
If you realize that your child or someone else’s child might be suffering from a language disorder, here’s what you can do
Reach out to a pediatrician, speech therapist, or child psychologist for a proper evaluation. Quick action is critical for effectively treating language difficulties. Surround the child with opportunities for language development.
Read books together,
sing songs,
encourage storytelling.
Through play, children can learn new words, practice social interaction, and develop their understanding of language in a fun and natural way. Role-playing games, board games, and interactive apps can all be beneficial.
Celebrate small victories and offer encouragement. Keeping a positive attitude can boost the child’s confidence and make learning less stressful.
Think you need to take your child to a speech therapist? Call me at :- +91 9810005312
Come and visit me to help your child with daily struggles against communication.
- Green Park, Delhi- F-93, Market Ln, opposite Evergreen sweets, Block S, Green Park, New Delhi, Delhi 110016
- Gurgaon, Haryana- 7301, Ground Floor, near Supermart 2, Block C2, DLF Phase IV, Sector 43, Gurugram, Haryana 122002
- Noida, Uttar Pradesh- Lower Ground, Dlf Mall Of India, Sector 18, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201301
Speech therapy for language disorder
When someone struggles with understanding or expressing language, it can really affect their daily life. The good news is that speech therapy offers personalized strategies to help.
First, I start by assessing what kind of language challenges you or your child might be facing—whether it’s difficulty speaking, understanding others, or both. From there, I develop a treatment plan that suits those specific needs.
Through speech therapy, we work together to build language skills like expanding vocabulary, forming sentences, and improving comprehension. We use interactive techniques that are both effective and engaging, helping to make progress feel natural and achievable.
Early intervention is key, especially for children. If we start therapy early, we can often prevent the disorder from affecting their long-term development. And don’t worry, it’s not all work—therapy includes fun exercises and games that help you or your child practice communication in real-life situations.
Beyond language, therapy also helps with the social and emotional aspects of communication. I’ve seen firsthand how gaining better communication skills can boost confidence and reduce frustration.
So, if you or someone you care about is facing a language disorder, speech therapy can be the turning point toward better communication and a more fulfilling life.
Supporting Facts
According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), early intervention is key in treating language disorders.
About 7-8% of children have some form of language disorder. These can include expressive language disorders, where a child has trouble conveying their thoughts, or receptive language disorders, where a child struggles to understand language.
Around 1 in 10 adults may experience a speech or language disorder at some point in their lives.
Studies show that around 70% of children with speech disorders see improvement with appropriate therapy.
In adults, communication disorders can impact 2-3% of the population, including conditions like aphasia or dysarthria.
