Language Disorders

Question 1

What language disorders look like!

Answer 1

• Limited rec/exp lang.
• Deficient grammar (syntax/morphology diff. to learn & produce)
• Deficient non-verbal communication skills (gestures & facial expressions)
• Inadequate or inappropriate social comm.(prag: failure initiating)
• Deficient literacy skills (PA deficits -> deficient reading/writing/spelling)

Question 2

Risk Factors

Answer 2

• Prenatal conditions (maternal drugs/infections)
• Perinatal Conditions (anoxia)
• Neonatal Conditions (premature birth)
• Family hx
• Syndromes (down’s)
• Environmental factors (low SES)
• Pre-linguistic comm. deficits

Question 3

SLI (specific language impairment) Characteristics

Answer 3

Predominantly manifests as deficits in morpho-syntax & semantics.

• Intelligence in normal range
• Normal sequence of lang. acquisition, but poss. delayed.
• Heterogeneous group: some have syntax deficits, others have prag. deficits
• Over & Under extensions
• Word-finding/retrieval problems
• Diff. using & understanding abstract lang.
• Shorter utterances
• Incomplete, tangential narratives

Question 4

2 Explanations for SLI

Answer 4

1. Underlying Deficits:
   Deficits in cognitive, auditory, perceptual, & intellectual func. that underlie lang.
2. Normal Variation:
   Children with SLI are at lower end of normal continuum of lang. skills.

Question 5

Language Disorders are commonly associated with these disabilities

Answer 5

• Intellectual Disability (ID)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Question 6

Physical & Social-Environmental Factors related to Language Problems

Answer 6

• Poverty:
• Poor reading/writing, less verbal elaboration, delayed vocab due to lack of stim, & less familiar with “school tasks”
• Neglect/Abuse:
• Less risk-taking. Expressive lang. delay & selective mutism. Lack lang. stim.
• Parental Drug/Alcohol Abuse:
• FAS -> delayed motor/cog, difficulties with: attention, speech, auditory process, dysphagia
• EI (early int) is critical
• ADHD:
• Academic/behav probs.
• Risky behav, distractible, disorganization, etc.

Question 7

SLI (Speech Languge Impairment)

Answer 7

• Signif. limitations in lang. functioning NOT attributed to hearing, oral func or intell.
• FORM (morphosyntax) is most affected
• Trouble with RULES of lang.
• No perceptual probs
• Less severe than LLD
• Receptive > Expressive

Question 8

LLD

Answer 8

• All lang. systems affected
• Broad & deep deficits
• HALLMARKS: perceptual & symbol deficits
• Dyslexia/Generalized reading disorder
• Teacher will comment on this child.