School-age refers to children ages 5-18 years old. As children grow into these school-age years their language skills develop rapidly, which enables kids to communicate effectively, understand complex instructions, and succeed academically at school. However, some children face challenges with their language abilities once they enter these school years due to difficulty learning, using, and understanding more advanced language concepts. Some children’s communication abilities can be so delayed that they experience a “language disorder” which impacts academic performance and social interactions.
What Are School Age Language Disorders?
Language disorders in school-aged children refer to difficulties in understanding and/or using spoken, written, and other forms of language. These disorders can be broadly categorized into two types: receptive and expressive language disorders.
- Receptive Language Disorders: Children with receptive language disorders struggle to understand words and language. They may find it hard to follow directions, understand and answer questions, or comprehend stories told and read to them. These difficulties can make it challenging for them to grasp academic content and participate fully in classroom activities. Children with receptive language difficulties often seem confused by their environment and may become easily frustrated when asked to complete tasks because they do not fully understand expectations stated to them.
- Expressive Language Disorders: Children with expressive language disorders have trouble expressing themselves verbally or through their alternative way of communicating (sign/AAC/etc). They may struggle to ask questions, form sentences, or use appropriate grammar. This can make it difficult for them to share their thoughts, needs, and experiences with others, leading to frustration and social isolation. Children with expressive language disorders often use language that seems choppy/incomplete and often use incorrect word forms or whole words to try to communicate their thoughts.
Some children may experience a combination of both receptive and expressive language disorders, making their communication challenges more complex.
Causes and Identification
Language disorders can stem from various factors, including genetic predispositions, neurological conditions, developmental delays, or environmental influences. Early identification and intervention are crucial in managing these disorders. Parents and teachers should look out for signs such as:
- Difficulty following directions or understanding questions
- Limited vocabulary for their age
- Short, simple sentence structures
- Frequent grammatical errors
- Difficulty telling stories or describing events
- Frustration with communication tasks
If any of these signs are evident, it’s essential to seek an evaluation from a speech-language pathologist (SLP).
The Role of Speech Therapy
Speech therapy is a specialized intervention designed to help children with language disorders improve their communication skills. Here’s how it can support children with these challenges:
- Individualized Assessment and Goals: An SLP will conduct a comprehensive assessment to identify the child’s specific language difficulties. Based on this evaluation, they will develop a tailored treatment plan with specific goals to address the child’s needs.
- Targeted Interventions: Speech therapy sessions involve targeted activities and exercises to improve various aspects of language, such as vocabulary development, sentence structure, comprehension, and verbal expression. These activities are designed to be engaging and age-appropriate, making learning fun for the child.
- Supporting Academic Success: Improved language skills directly impact a child’s ability to perform academically. By addressing language disorders, speech therapy helps children better understand classroom instructions, participate in discussions, and complete written assignments, ultimately supporting their overall academic progress.
- Boosting Confidence and Social Skills: Effective communication is essential for building relationships and social interactions. Speech therapy helps children gain confidence in their ability to express themselves, leading to improved self-esteem and better social connections with peers.
How Parents Can Support
Parents play a crucial role in supporting their child’s language development alongside speech therapy. Here are some ways parents can help:
- Encourage Communication: Engage in conversations with your child, ask open-ended questions, and encourage them to express their thoughts and feelings. Make sure you are bombarding them with rich, varied language throughout the day to expose them to as much vocabulary as possible!
- Read Together: Reading books together helps build vocabulary and comprehension skills. Discuss the stories, ask questions, and encourage your child to retell the events in their own words.
- Collaborate with Teachers and Therapists: Maintain open communication with your child’s teachers and SLP to ensure consistency and reinforcement of language skills across different settings.
WHAT SHOULD MY SCHOOL-AGE CHILD BE DOING?
For reference on developmental norms, please follow this link to the American Speech Language Hearing Association and click on your child’s grade. https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/communicationdevelopment/
If you feel your child is not on track for their age expected language skills, schedule an evaluation with a Hona speech language pathologist to fully evaluate your child’s abilities and create a plan for speech therapy intervention to help address areas of concern.