Expressive Language Disorders |
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A person with an expressive language disorder understands language better than he/she is able to communicate. Expressive language disorders can be developmental, in which case a child may not learn language as quickly as his/her peers. Expressive language disorders can also be acquired later in life, occurring as a result of brain damage or injury. The developmental type is more common in children, whereas the acquired type is more common in the elderly. An expressive language disorder may occur in a child of normal intelligence, or it could be a component of a condition affecting mental functioning more broadly (i.e. mental retardation, autism).
Characteristics of Expressive Language Disorders - Children with expressive language delays often do not talk much, although they generally understand language addressed to them.
- A child may understand stories read to him/her, but he/she may not be able to describe the story even in a simple narrative.
- Social uses of language (i.e. manners, conversation) may be impaired by expressive language limitations, causing difficulty in social situations and relationships.
- A person with an expressive language disorder may experience frequent dysnomia (difficulty naming objects or retrieving the appropriate words during conversation.)
- Some people may have no problem in simple expression, but they may have difficulties retrieving and organizing words and sentences when expressing more complicated thoughts and ideas. This may occur when they are trying to describe, define, or explain information or retell an event or activity.
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