This disorder makes it hard for a child to express themselves with words. A child with this disorder has trouble finding and using the correct words when they talk. Some children also have trouble understanding everything that's said to them, or understanding words they read. This is called "receptive language disorder."
What causes this disorder? Well, we don't fully understand the cause. It may be linked to a problem in the brain. It may be linked to things like malnutrition and genetics. And it could be linked to other issues, like autism or hearing impairment. There may be different causes for different children. More than one factor may play a role.
What are the symptoms? A child with this disorder often starts talking later than expected. They may have trouble using language to express themselves. They may not remember words very well, and have trouble learning new words. They may not be able to say rhymes or poems. They may have a hard time forming complex sentences. And they may use the tenses of words incorrectly. A child with this disorder might say "I fall" when they mean to say "I fell."
Because children with this disorder have problems expressing themselves, they can have other issues, too. They may have trouble learning in school. They may have low self-esteem, and they may have trouble making friends.
How do we treat it? We use different language therapy techniques to help a child make gains with their vocabulary. Therapy may help them catch up with their peers. We may also need to manage other factors that are involved. For example, we may need to treat a vitamin deficiency or a hearing issue. A speech and language specialist will create a plan that's right for your child.