LANGUAGE DISORDERS

A language disorder is what occurs when a child has difficulty learning language skills or when language develops in an atypical manner.

SOME WARNING SIGNS OF A LANGUAGE DISORDER:

Children with language disorders often exhibit some or all of the following symptoms:

• poor eye contact
• poor ability to imitate others
• disinterest in games
• short attention span
• difficulty eating various foods
• aggression and/or tantrums
• inappropriate play behaviors (i.e. the inability to complete puzzles, disinterest in age appropriate toys, etc.)

LANGUAGE DISORDERS AND EDUCATION 

Children with language disorders experience difficulty learning and often struggle in school-- even in courses that appear unrelated to language-- because all areas of learning are, directly or indirectly, impacted by language. For example, math and sciences involve planning, sequencing and problem-solving skills. Children with language disorders are unable to sequence events, follow directions or arrive at conclusions so they have difficulty understanding scientific theories and concepts.

Performing and visual arts require hand-eye coordination, comparisons, following directions, attention to detail and memory. Children with language disorders are unable to think in “3-D” as words and details are lost in memory and may have difficulty reading sheet music, memorizing lyrics and coordinating harmonies.

Difficulties may even affect a child in physical education as these children often experience difficulty understanding concepts such as left/right and up/down, spatial relationships and sequencing skills.