Helping Children With Word-Finding Difficulties

Difficulty with word finding is described as anomia and can have a significant impact on a child’s communication. While occasional word-finding issues are normal, persistent problems may require professional help. In this article, we will discuss the causes, symptoms, and options regarding anomia.

What is Word Finding Difficulty (Anomia)?

Anomia is defined as a word-finding difficulty in accessible language. For example, your loved one may have trouble finding the word for a specific food item and will use a compensatory strategy or a vague word as a substitute. This can affect daily communication in everyday routines, at the workplace, in school settings, or interactions with others. Anomia can also be a common symptom in certain types of Aphasia.

Signs and Symptoms of Word-Finding Difficulty

Symptoms and signs of anomia can vary and manifest differently at various ages.

• Word retrieval issues
• Fluency concerns such as pausing
• Circumlocutions
• Word substitutions for generalized or common terminology

Causes of Word-Finding Difficulty

Word retrieval stems from various brain regions working together such as Broca’s Area and Wernicke’s Area. Children with Developmental Language Disorders (DLD) and adults with neurogenic communication disorder may struggle with word retrieval abilities. Understanding early language development can help you determine when your child or loved ones might encounter word retrieval concerns.

Aphasia vs. Anomia: Understanding the Difference

Anomia is one of the traits commonly associated with anomic aphasia. It is a milder type of aphasia where a patient demonstrates poor retrieval skills with relatively intact fluency. “Understanding Aphasia” can enlighten readers about learning more about Aphasia.

How Speech Therapy Helps with Word-Finding Difficulties

The role of speech-language pathologists is to assess, diagnose, and treat communication disorders including word retrieval abilities. There are several strategies an SLP can utilize to teach word retrieval skills including semantic feature analysis, constraint-induced language therapy, and other word finding strategies like context clues.

Find a Therapist if you are interested in working with an SLP on your child’s or loved one’s word retrieval abilities.

Strategies for Supporting Children with Word-Finding Difficulties

You can work on word retrieval skills at home with your loved ones through simple activities:

• Reading and writing practice
• Games, Play-based activities
• Modifying language environment
• Generative and Confrontational Naming tasks

When to Seek Professional Help

If you feel word retrieval difficulties begin to progress to more significant challenges, a speech language pathologist may be able to help support your loved one’s communication abilities. They will use assessments to determine a personalized treatment plan and activities that are best suited to your loved one’s learning styles. Therapy sessions, homework activities, caregiver support, and generalization strategies are all vital pieces to improving word finding skills.

Ready to Support Your Child's Communication Journey?

Anomia, or difficulty in word finding abilities, can impede your child or loved one’s daily routines whether they are in school, at work, or at home. A speech therapist can help by providing best practice strategies and activities to help improve anomia symptoms.

Start Your Child's Speech Journey with a licensed speech language pathologist.