Communication difficulties can arise in many young children. Most will eventually gain the skills to effectively communicate, while some will continue to have communication problems. When a child has trouble getting his/her meaning across through speech, writing, or gestures they may have a language disorder. There are different types of language disorders:

Expressive Language Disorder: difficulty expressing thoughts and ideas.

Receptive Language Disorder: difficulty understanding others.

Mixed Receptive-Expressive Language Disorder: difficulty with both expressive and receptive – difficulty understanding and using spoken language.

A language disorder however, is not the same as a hearing issue or speech disorder. Individuals with language disorders usually do not have difficulty hearing or pronouncing words. They have difficulty mastering and applying the rules of language. Without treatment, their communication difficulties will continue and may lead to emotional issues as well as struggles with academics.

Language disorders can be acquired or developmental. An acquired language disorder appears only after a neurological illness or injury. Examples of this include stroke or traumatic brain injury.

A developmental language disorder is far more common in children. This delay however isn’t related to their intelligence level whatsoever. Children with developmental language disorders often begin speaking later than their peers. They generally have difficulties with receptive and expressive language skills before the age of 4.