Expressive Language Disorder: All detail about delayed expressive speech

What is expressive language disorder?

Children with expressive language disorder have difficulty conveying or expressing information in speech, writing, sign language or gesture. (For preschool children, the difficulty expressing them in writing is not evident, as they have not started formal education.) Some children are late in reaching typical language milestones in the first three years, but eventually catch up to their peers. It’s possible that people with expressive language disorders understand more than they can express. When they try to communicate with others but are unable to appropriately express themselves, they may become frustrated. Children who continue to have difficulty with verbal expression may be diagnosed with expressive language disorder or language impairment.

Symptoms of expressive language disorder in child:

Children that have difficulty using expressive language may have issues conversing. They might be able to pronounce words and comprehend what others are saying. However, they could still find it difficult to communicate.

• Producing grammatical mistakes, omitting words, and utilizing a sentence that is either too short or too long
• Kids who have trouble expressing themselves verbally frequently have poor vocabulary abilities and rely on well-known phrases.
• Since it is so challenging for them to express their thoughts and feelings, children who have difficulty using expressive language may become reclusive.
• Children that have trouble using expressive language frequently mix up verb tenses and drop words. They frequently use illogical sentences.
• Having trouble conveying a tale or relaying information in an organized or cohesive way
• Having trouble starting or maintaining a conversation, and having behavioral problems.
• Using comments and questions to initiate conversations but not to take turns
• Having trouble with academic assignments, both written and oral.
• Anxiety about having to speak in front of people or give a presentation
• Trouble following multi-step verbal instructions; prefers to receive all assignments via email

What are the causes of expressive language delay?

The underlying aetiology of expressive language dysfunction in many kids is unknown. While other aspects of a child’s development are going according to plan, some kids only struggle with language development. Other kids with expressive language disorder are known to have developmental issues or disabilities (for example, down syndrome, autism or hearing loss). Expressive language disorders can be acquired or developmental (present from birth). The cause of developmental expressive language disorder could not be known. It typically has little to do with intelligence. It might be genetic in some instances. DELD can occasionally coexist with other neurological conditions like autism, a learning disability, or hearing loss. The signs of developmental expressive language disorder may worsen as a result. Nevertheless, despite the absence of a developmental expressive language disorder diagnosis, these illnesses frequently involve language impairments. People who initially develop normally but later suffer from a disease or a brain injury that impairs the language parts of their brains are said to have an acquired language problem. Aphasia is the name for this kind of acquired expressive language problem. Although it can happen in youngsters, aphasia is more frequently the cause of expressive language problem in adults.

Does expressive language delay is similar to autism?

A child does not automatically have autism just because they have a delay in their expressive language. Some kids may experience both of these difficulties at the same time. However, expressive language dysfunction is a specific problem to examine. Compared to children with ELD alone, those with autism and ELD show substantial disparities. Patients with ELD and autism have patterns of association that are significantly different from those with ELD alone.

Does trauma increase the risk factors of expressive language disorder?

Even today, researchers are constantly learning more about how trauma affects a child’s system as a whole. Traumatic events, whether they are physical or mental, can lead to serious regressions in children. Their linguistic skills are significantly diminished as a result.

Risk factors of delayed expressive speech:

The following are likely contributing factors to speech and language issues:

• being male and being born too soon
• being born with a low weight
• having a history of speech or language issues in your family
• possessing parents with less education

Types of expressive language disorder:

• Developmental Expressive Language Disorder

When children are in the period of acquiring the language for the first time in their lives, developmental expressive language disorder manifests itself concurrently. A developmental expressive language disorder (DELD) in your child may make it difficult for them to recall vocabulary terms or construct complicated phrases. For instance, a 5-year-old with DELD might use three-word phrases that are brief. The disease may manifest by itself or in conjunction with other linguistic impairments. Typically, the symptoms are restricted to language problems and poor word memory.

• Receptive Expressive Language Disorder

In addition to displaying the aforementioned signs, your child may also struggle to comprehend what you’re saying if they have receptive-expressive language disorder (RELD). Your youngster may therefore find it difficult to comprehend information, put ideas into order, and follow instructions.

• Acquired Expressive Language Disorder

A direct effect of an illness or accident is an acquired language problem. This could occur from a focal lesion or a more widespread damage. CVAs, seizure disorders, tumors, infections, radiation, and traumatic brain damage are some of the causes. Falls, car accidents, and abuse are common causes of acquired language dysfunction in young children. Children with acquired language disorders lack the same communication abilities as those with developing language disorders.

How to diagnose the expressive language development?

If you see that your child is having trouble speaking and using language, you must: Take him to a speech pathologist or therapist very away to have his language abilities thoroughly evaluated. Not only should this be done, but you should also get your child’s hearing checked out by a qualified audiologist. The therapist may additionally suggest the following to strengthen his diagnoses:

• Auditory processing test is entirely distinct from a typical hearing test.
• A trained psychologist can evaluate your child’s thinking and intellect level using the cognitive function assessment.
• A test to identify any learning challenges.

Test for expressive language disorder:

Speech and language therapy is a frequent treatment for language disorders. The course of treatment depends on your child’s age, the underlying reason, and the severity of the problem. Your child might, for instance, attend group therapy sessions or individual therapy sessions with a speech-language therapist. Your child will be diagnosed and treated by the speech-language therapist in accordance with their deficits.

It can be helpful to work with your child at home. Here are a few advices:

• Asking a question to your child requires speaking properly, calmly, and succinctly.
• As your youngster formulates an answer, be patient.
• Maintain a calm environment to lessen tension.
• After offering an order or explanation, have your child rephrase it in their own words.

Psychological therapy: Being unable to comprehend or communicate with others can be upsetting and may lead to moments of acting out. For the treatment of emotional or behavioral problems, counseling may be required.

Hearing test: To rule out hearing loss as the cause of discrepancies in expressive language.

Test of auditory processing:  To determine how the brain interprets sounds in language.

Having trouble learning testing: To determine whether additional neurological causes may contribute to variations in language use.

Cognitive functional evaluation: To identify the presence of an intellectual disability.