Whether your child is working on saying their first word, or you’re having trouble expressing and understanding language, our experienced team uses evidence-based approaches to create a motivating and engaging path to success.
Some examples of language disorders that we treat include:
Expressive and Receptive language disorders: This class of disorder is characterized by impaired comprehension (receptive language) and/or impaired use of spoken or written language (expressive language). Some examples of difficulties associated with language disorders include:
- Trouble learning and using spoken and written language
- Makes only a few sounds or gestures (7–9 months)
- Does not understand what others say (10 months – 2 years)
- Says only a few words (19 months – 2 years)
- Does not put words together to make sentences (19 months – 3 years)
- Speaks using words that are not easily understood by others (3–4 years)
- Difficulty with vocabulary, sentence structure or having a conversation
- Using short, simple sentences
- Difficulty answering “wh” questions
- Appears behind in play skills (e.g., lacks imaginary play)
- Difficulty following directions or organizing thoughts
- Problems with the use of pronouns, verbs, and other parts of speech (e.g., saying “I go to school” instead of “I went to school”)
- Trouble with word finding (e.g., saying “um” a lot)
- May appear to have trouble listening
Social/pragmatic language disorders: This class of disorders is characterized by persistent difficulties with the use of verbal and nonverbal language for social purposes. This can be a stand alone diagnosis or occur within the context of other conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, traumatic brain injury, etc. Symptoms may include:
- Not understanding sarcasm; is overly literal
- Omits background information when talking to unfamiliar people
- Difficulty understanding things that are implied but not stated
- Trouble picking up on social cues like facial expressions
- Not altering communication to match the context or needs of the listener
Autism Spectrum Disorder: Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder is currently diagnosed through symptoms, which involve differences in verbal and nonverbal communication, social interaction, and repetitive behaviors.
Auditory Processing Disorder: Auditory processing is our brain’s ability to understand the information that it receives from our ears. An auditory processing disorder occurs when there is a disruption in the way that the brain understands what it’s hearing. It’s not a form of hearing loss, but rather the brain doesn’t “hear” sounds in a typical manner. Individuals with Auditory Processing Disorders may experience difficulties with:
- Remembering what they hear
- Following spoken directions
- Understanding what is said to them
- Focusing on a person talking
- Focusing and filtering out background sounds