Communication disorders tend to occur in two major areas: language production and speech patterns. If children have trouble forming and sequencing sounds, they most likely have a language production disorder (Gonzalez-Mena, 2007). If a child is able to produce speech with no problem, but the child does not make sense when talking or may not understand the meaning of what he hears, he most likely has a speech pattern disorder (Gonzalez-Mena, 2007).Physical impairments can also affect language; hearing loss, brain damage, and mental retardation can influence language development (Gonzalez-Mena, 2007).
What are symptoms of atypical language development?
Here are the milestones and warning signs of atypical language development, taken from "Early Messages," Child Care Video Magazine.
Young Infants (birth to 8 months)
- A general lack of interest in social contact (infant avoids eye contact, holds body rigidly)
- Lack of response to the human voice or other sounds
- At 8 to 9 months, the child stops babbling (infants who are deaf babble at first and then stop).
- The child does not show interest in interacting with objects and caregivers in familiar environments.
- At 9 to 10 months, the child does not follow direction of point.
- At 11 to 12 months, the child does not give, show, or point at objects.
- At 11 to 12 months, the child does not play games such as pat-a-cake or peek-a-boo.
- Has a limited vocabulary
- Uses only short, simple sentences
- Makes many more grammatical errors than other children at the same age
- Has difficulty talking about the future
- Misunderstands questions most of the time
- Is often misunderstood by others
- Displays fewer forms of social play than other children at the same age
- Has difficulty carrying on a conversation
Children who have trouble with reading and related language skills is may have dyslexia (Hall & Moats, 1999). Children with dyslexia may have difficulty with a variety of related language tasks, but problems in the beginning stages is usually with reading and spelling (Hall & Moats, 1999). Usually children with dyslexia have trouble comprehending what they hear and expressing themselves verbally or in writing (Hall & Moats, 1999). What are the common symptoms of dyslexia?
Here are some common symptoms of dyslexia, taken from Straight Talk About Reading by Susan Hall and Louisa Moats (1999).
- difficulty learning the sounds that go with letters
- trouble with reading of words in isolation or in context
- difficulty recalling words or names that are known (word retrieval problems)
- pronouncing sounds or syllables incorrectly ("basghetti" for spaghetti, or "aminal" for animal)
- difficulty spelling and/or forming letters
- trouble memorizing math facts and calendar concepts
- difficulty managing sentence structure, word choice, and organization in writing
- difficulty organizing in space and time
If you suspect that your child has a communication disorder, it is recommended that you take your child to see a speech therapist or have your child participate in an early intervention program (Gonzalez-Mena, 2007). If your child is showing signs of dyslexia, it is recommended that your child get tested or that he or she sees a school consultant or licensed psychologist (Hall & Moats, 1999). It is best to accurately diagnose the problem before implementing any treatment.
