Receptive Language Disorders

Receptive Language Disorder is a communication difficulty that affects an individual’s ability to understand, and process spoken or written language. This can co-exist with expressive language disorders, known as mixed receptive-expressive disorder. Children with this disorder may struggle to comprehend instructions, follow conversations, or grasp the meaning of words and sentences, even if their hearing is normal. This can impact various aspects of life, including learning, social interactions, and everyday activities. A receptive language disorder can occur in children as part of a developmental delay or alongside other conditions, such as autism or hearing impairments. Potential risk factors may also include, low-birth weight, family history, or low parental education.

 

Children typically show signs of a receptive language disorder as early as preschool age. Common indicators include:

1. Difficulty following directions

2. Trouble understanding “wh” questions

3. Limited comprehension of vocabulary

4. Trouble keeping up in conversation

5. Confusion with multi-step tasks

6. Taking longer to answer to spoken language

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Assessment and Treatment

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Speech-language pathologists play a vital role in assessing, diagnosing, and treating children with receptive language disorders. Their primary goal is to help the child improve their ability to understand and process language, enabling them to communicate effectively and succeed in daily interactions. Key aspects of an SLP's role include:

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• Conducting thorough evaluations, including standardized tests, observations, and input from parents and teachers, to determine the child's specific language comprehension challenges and develop a detailed understanding of their needs.

• Teaching strategies to enhance listening and comprehension skills, such as breaking information into smaller parts, using visual supports, or repeating instructions, while incorporating play-based or structured activities to improve vocabulary, sentence comprehension, and processing speed.