Expressive Language Disorder: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
Expressive language disorder is a language disorder that affects an individual’s ability to communicate effectively. It is a communication disorder in which individuals has difficulty expressing themselves through language, either verbally or non-verbally.
Symptoms may include difficulty using words correctly, difficulty forming sentences, and difficulty understanding what others say.
Common causes of expressive language disorder include developmental delays, hearing problems, and neurological issues.
There are also a variety of treatments available for expressive language disorder, depending on the individual’s needs and the severity of the disorder. In this blog post, we will explore the causes, symptoms, and treatments of expressive language disorder.
Expressive language disorder is a type of language disorder that can affect individuals of all ages. It is characterized by difficulty expressing oneself through spoken or written language.
People with this language disorder may have difficulty expressing their thoughts and ideas, understanding complex language, and speaking in a clear and coherent way.
This blog post will explore the causes,
symptoms, and treatments associated with expressive language disorder so
readers can gain a better understanding of this condition.
What is expressive language disorder?
Expressive language disorder (ELD) is a communication disorder that affects a person’s ability to use words and sentences to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas.
This disorder can make it difficult for an individual to use the correct words, correctly pronounce words, and form sentences that are understandable.
ELD can also interfere with a person’s ability to think abstractly, express
opinions or feelings, and use appropriate grammar.
Individuals with ELD may struggle with understanding and producing language. They may find it difficult to understand what other people are saying, or they may have trouble using words when speaking.
As a result, they may struggle to effectively communicate their thoughts, needs, and emotions.
In addition, those with ELD may have difficulty participating in conversations, expressing their opinion, and understanding jokes or figurative language.
Additionally,
individuals with ELD may avoid engaging in social activities due to
embarrassment caused by difficulties communicating.
Symptoms of expressive language disorder
Expressive language disorder (ELD) is a communication disorder that affects a person’s ability to use language for communication.
It is characterized by difficulty using words and grammar when speaking or writing, difficulty with understanding what is said or written, and difficulty with communicating effectively.
The
most common symptoms of expressive language disorder include:
• Difficulty with the use of words:
Difficulty with the use of words and grammar when speaking. This may include incorrect word choice, difficulty using verb tenses or other parts of speech, incomplete sentences, and difficulty expressing ideas.
• Difficulty understanding what is said or written:
This can include difficulty
understanding complex instructions or questions, difficulty interpreting
figurative language, and difficulty reading.
• Poorly organized thoughts:
Poorly organized thoughts when speaking. This may include having trouble
expressing oneself in a logical order, difficulty finding the right words to
express an idea, and having trouble staying on topic during conversations.
• Difficulty with writing skills:
Difficulty with writing skills such as spelling, grammar, sentence structure,
and organizing ideas.
• Difficulty with communicating effectively:
Difficulty with communicating effectively. This can include difficulty conveying meaning clearly in conversation, difficulty asking questions, difficulty understanding body language or facial expressions, and difficulty understanding social cues
- Delays in learning:
Additionally, individuals with ELD may experience delays in learning new concepts, have difficulty retelling stories or events, and struggle to engage in abstract thinking.
Causes of expressive language disorder
The exact cause of expressive language disorder is unknown, but there are several factors that may contribute to the development of this condition.
It is
believed that expressive language disorder can be caused by a combination of
both genetic and environmental influences.
There may be a genetic component associated with expressive language disorder. Research suggests that certain genetic mutations may be involved in the development of the condition, which would suggest a possible hereditary factor.
- Autism spectrum disorder:
In some cases, the disorder may be linked to autism spectrum disorders or other
conditions that affect communication and language.
- Environmental factors:
Environmental factors such as lack of stimulation, hearing loss, and social isolation can also contribute to the development of expressive language disorder.
These factors can disrupt the normal developmental process, making it difficult for a child to acquire and use language skills.
Other environmental factors such as being exposed to traumatic events, growing up in a dysfunctional family, or having an unstable home life can also contribute to the development of expressive language disorder.
- ADHD:
Additionally, having a learning disability or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) could potentially make it more difficult for an individual to learn and express themselves verbally.
- Other causes:
Problems with auditory processing, receptive language issues, or physical
impairments could lead to delays in the acquisition of language skills and
possibly lead to expressive language disorder.
The symptoms of expressive language disorder vary depending on age and severity, but generally include difficulty putting words together into meaningful sentences, limited vocabulary, and difficulty understanding complex sentences, problems using age-appropriate grammar, difficulty following conversations, difficulty staying on topic while speaking, and difficulty expressing emotions verbally.
In order to diagnose expressive language disorder, speech-language
pathologists will usually complete an assessment that includes listening to the
individual’s verbal expression as well as an analysis of his/her ability to
understand written and spoken material.
How is expressive language disorder treated?
Treatment for expressive language disorder will depend on the age of the patient, the severity of the condition, and the underlying cause.
Generally speaking, treatment is aimed at improving the patient’s communication skills and ability to understand language.
- Therapies:
The therapist will use various techniques, such as modeling and repetition, to help the patient build their vocabulary and improve their grammar and syntax.
They may also introduce visual cues, such as charts or diagrams, to help the patient understand and retain information.
Additionally, they may use computer-assisted
language learning programs to provide additional practice.
- Medications:
In
addition to speech therapy, medications may be prescribed to help treat
associated symptoms such as anxiety or depression. For example, antidepressant
medications may be used to treat anxiety or depression that is hindering the
patient’s progress in therapy.
- Family therapy:
Finally, family therapy may be beneficial for both the patient and their loved ones. In family therapy, the therapist can provide guidance on how to best support the patient and help them practice their language skills in everyday conversations.
Family members may benefit from education about expressive
language disorder and available resources in the community.
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