There are 3 types of language disorders:
Receptive: difficulty understanding what others are saying.
Expressive: difficulty expressing thoughts and ideas.
Mixed receptive-expressive- difficulty understanding and using spoken language.
There are some ways a child may have acquired a language disorder. It could have been inherited from a parent. The child may not have received the proper nutrition in the uterus or experienced a premature birth. Or, the child may have Autism or Down Syndrome which could cause intellectual delays that could cause a language disorder.
However, if your child has none of these issues, then this checklist below can be used as a measurement to see if you need to get your child evaluated.
9-Point Checklist
- Has a limited vocabulary compared to children the same age
- Frequently says “um” and substitutes general words like “stuff” and “things” for more precise words
- Has trouble learning new vocabulary words
5. Uses certain phrases over and over again when talking
6. Seems frustrated by inability to communicate thoughts
7. May not talk much or often, but understands what other people say
8. Is able to pronounce words and sounds, but sentences often don’t make sense
9. Uses a limited variety of sentence structures when speaking
Things I Wish I Could Have Done That You Can Do Now
She started receiving speech therapy once she was evaluated and placed in a structured special education kindergarten class.
But, did you know that there is now a law called the The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that allows children and youth (ages 3-21) to receive special education and related services as well as empower parents to seek FREE intervention services for their infants and toddlers under the age of 2? And, if you have a diagnosis for your child already, you don’t have to wait for a referral from your child's pediatrician. You can contact your state’s public early childhood system for a free evaluation.
This law was not in effect when my daughter was born. She struggles socially at times and is very shy and sometimes distant. Even though she knows how to read, her writing suffered because of her limited vocabulary. So I am writing this blog because as parents, we do not want our children to be left behind.
In following my yearly theme of "Staying Keen in 2017", I plan to remain focused in making sure this knowledge gets out to any parent who might need it. It is also empowering to know what is out here so you can be well informed ahead of time before approaching agencies and school districts. #StayKeen17
| AuthorMy name is Cee Strickland, and I’m the founder of Cee & Learn. I live in New Jersey and have 3 daughters and 2 grandkids. I super love literacy! Read my full bio by clicking here. Literacy Matters! |
Csebestyen. "NJ Parent Link." NJ Parent Link. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Jan. 2017. <http://njparentlink.nj.gov/>.
"IDEA - Building The Legacy of IDEA 2004." IDEA - Building The Legacy of IDEA 2004. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Jan. 2017. <http://idea.ed.gov/explore>.
Team, The Understood. "Understanding Language Disorders." Understood.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Jan. 2017. <https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/communication-disorders/understanding-language-disorders>.