Language Processing Disorder; Early dignosis is crucial!

Language Processing Disorder is a very serious matter. The moment you suspect your child has it (see What is Language Processing Disorder? for the signs and characteristics of LPD.) see a Neuro-Pediatrician Immediately!

Why?

According to my son's Neuro-pediatrician, a child's brain develops almost fully at 4 years old, meaning the child's brain is prepared and equipped for use, or in technical description, the neurons' synapses grows and connects with other neurons, facilitating transmission of electrical/nerve impulses which is the very core of brain at work.

The development of a child's brain is facilitated by learning. Synapses grow and connect with synapses of other neurons when there is learning, or the repetitive use of the brain. Example, when a child learns about one thing, say a language, synapses grow from a neuron to connect with other synapses of other neurons for this particular learned knowledge. The repetitive use then of this learned language promotes nerve impulses to travel to and fro neurons by way of the synapses, making this connections permanent, hence making the brain more developed and more equipped to perform its functions. In short, learning helps in the development of the brain. And this is where the problem comes in the case of LPD.

LPD causes a child to learn slower. It is said that learning among children is facilitated by way of language. As the child learns to speak, comes with the learning of the things around him. With LPD, the child is incapacitated in the discrimination and processing of sounds, thus slowing him, if not hampering, to learn about words and speaking.

With their learning of words slowed down, so is their learning of the things around them. With learning slowed down, so is their brain development. Without learning, synapses of neurons can't grow and connect with other neurons, without learning, there're no nerve impulses or electrical impulses to travel through synapses, and this is worse because if synapses are not used, they die.

When synapses do not grow or worse, die, the brain will work less and less properly. In short, instead of development and progress, there is regress making the brain not to function well. Since a child's brain should be developed by 4 years old, disruption, or any thing that could cause problem to this course poses a great risk in the future of your child. Imagine how can a child whose brain was not developed properly in its own course, fare with challenges of living?

When my son was diagnosed with LPD, he was 2 1/2 years old. And I was so crushed because the doctor told me I may expect problems with my child especially with his intelligence because at 2 years old, a child's brain should be 50% well developed; but because he has Language processing disorder, his brain was developing behind. His language and comprehension skills were behind that of a 2 year old, and that was a clear indication.

I understand that denial is the number one thing that may cause a parent not to seek therapeutic intervention at once, I had been through there. It's not the disorder that was hard to accept, but the facts of it. The unfortunate possibilities that it may bring to your child, the thought of these is horrifying. And it took me several weeks before I went to the therapists, though I cannot see yet any negative implications of that several weeks of denying, I cannot be sure that there will be none (and I am so praying hard that there will be none). It is okay to be in denial, but do not deny your kid what is necessary for him to cope up with the situation he is in.

Language Processing disorder; How it affects your Child's Future!

Language Processing Disorder, as you could read from my previous entries, is a disorder which greatly affects a child's life in more ways parents could ever imagine. It is characterized by:

• late speech (at 2 years old, the child could barely speak), hyperactivity (due to the fact that the child can't express himself verbally thus he channels everything he wants to say and his frustrations on being able to be understood, through actions),
• and to some kids, hypo activity (due to the emotional effect of not being understood, and the emotional effect of the parents' frustrations and the discrimination of the people around them),
• inability to focus, or the short attention span (easily gets bored),
• and for some tantrums, that nasty tantrums (more on toddlers).

To most people LPD is foreign; it is something they don't understand. Awareness is limited only to people who are directly involved to children with this disorder, doctors and parents of diagnosed children. Most parents though are not aware, hence a lot of kids with this disorder are never diagnosed, and thus they never get therapeutic interventions.

LPD is a manageable disorder wherein the chances of affected kids coping up with the disorder are very high. But if kids with this disorder are left undiagnosed, the disorder progresses, thus resulting to the following:

1. Academically Poor Students. Children with LPD's are somewhat behind in comparison to children of their age. Because language is synonymous to learning and development, the mere fact that the child is delayed in speaking, means the child's development as a whole is somewhat delayed too because learning is somewhat hampered. (Remember LPD is due to the inability of the child to recognize and distinguish sounds of words.) Because of this, coping up in school with their classmates and their lessons is somewhat very hard, if not impossible to kids with LPD's who do not receive therapeutic interventions.
2. Personality Problems. Children with LPD's have this inability to express themselves verbally, thus them being understood is very hard if not impossible. This, results due to the lack of awareness of people to this disorder, to discrimination and labeling of this children with retards, morons and other unpleasant words. The children may not understand the words but the animosity, disdain and simply the discriminating tone of the words are very much felt and understood by these children! And this is very very traumatic. Imagine a child who should be feeling loved, accepted and appreciated instead gets demeaned and criticized, I think I need not elaborate what I'm trying to picture here for you to understand. Add to this the frustration and confusion of not being understood.
3. Learning Disabilities. Because learning is slow and somewhat hampered among children with LPD, cognitive skills hence tend to develop slower too. Thus resulting to slower learning skills development, and if left unintervened, it results to learning disabilities.

Now picture these things happening to your child, what kind of future do you think will he have?

LPD is a serious matter. If you suspect your child has it, see a neuropediatrician now!

Language Processing Disorder: How will it affect your child's life.

Language processing disorder to many, if not most, is simply a case of speech delay, nothing more nothing less. Here in the Philippines and I guess in most part of the world, older people do not recognize speech delay as a disorder. For them, sooner the child will eventually learn to speak and everything will be fine with the kid. Somehow, this could be true to some kids, but not to everyone.

Language processing disorder is an emotionally and cognitively debilitating disorder which affects greatly a child’s attitude. Without therapy intervention, the child might not be able to outgrow this disorder thus making verbal message processing very hard, which then would cause the child’s inability to communicate properly. Studying becomes a struggle, and school becomes a battleground. Because the child’s brain cannot process words, learning, either through formal education or through everyday verbal messages, will become very hard for them. And thus rendering them handicapped learning about life. And this will continue through their adulthood. Imagine how this child will fit into this world?

Language processing disorder can be mild, moderately severe, and severe. For the mild cases, with proper therapy intervention and support of the parents, recovery is 100%. The child will eventually learn to talk earlier than expected to LPD cases. He will be able to cope up cognitively and eventually be at par with his age. School will not be a struggle for the kid, he could be in a regular class, and academic achievements can be expected.

For the moderately severe cases, the child’s progress will be slower than those with the mild case. They will learn to talk later than those with the mild case, and longer therapy intervention will be needed. Pre-school will not be easy for the child, somehow there will be a struggle on focus and attention, and because of this, instances that the child will be a little behind the class will be possible. Sped school may be a better option for the child than regular class.

There is one thing parents should always remember, mild cases of LPD may fall into moderately severe case if parents will not follow up the therapy of the child at home, if parent support and patience is absent.

As for the severe cases enduring patience of the parents will be needed. Progress will be a lot slower than those with moderately severe cases. Therapy will take longer, and school will be a lot more of a struggle for the child. Children of this case are recommended to attend SPED school. Regular school is not advisable because it will not do well for children in this case. Focus and attention will be a great problem for these children, and thus you could expect them to be restless and really hyperactive.

In some instances, along with their speech delay, some motor activities also may become late. Like walking, and for pre-school, learning to write.

Language processing disorder is something that, regardless of the severity of its case, must be taken seriously and into great consideration of parents. Early decision of parents on how they will respond on their child’s case will greatly affect not only their child’s development, but most importantly his future.

What is Language Processing Disorder?

What is Language Processing Disorder?


Language processing disorder is a disorder wherein the child has a problem with speech sound discrimination. They experience difficulty processing sounds of words, and thus they find it difficult to learn to talk. They find it difficult to understand words. And although children of this situation will eventually learn to talk, there will be negative effects of this disorder that will hamper if not making it difficult for them to cope up in school and in life itself. Because this disorder causes mind and thought processing problems that may handicap these children through their adulthood.


What causes language processing disorder?

*According to the neuro-pedia doctor, there are no known causes yet of this disorder except that it is hereditary. (My brother had it, he did not speak until when he was 5, but mind you, he just graduated in the university, and was in the deans list. I guess that was why my son had it.)

Note: Males are mostly affected, and if females are, they are mostly extreme. It could be extremely severe, or extremely mild. (My friend’s daughter had it also and her case is extremely severe, at 5 she cannot talk yet.)



What could be done to avoid it?


*Since it is hereditary, there is none except prayer.



How to know when a child has a language processing disorder?


These characteristics may be present in normal children, but if it occurs with consistence, then it is a sign that something is wrong.

Toddlers:
*He speaks lesser words than his age. Like at 24 months, he could at least say about 20 words, and 2-word phrases. This is what we call delayed speech.

*Some toddlers with this disorder throw tantrum more because of their frustration on their inability to express themselves. Sometimes they tend to become violent.

*Inability to learn the conceptual meaning of words, like mama which is the mother, the tendency here will be the child will have difficulty learning that mama is his mother.

*Inability to follow simple instructions, like: come, or come to mama, or go to daddy.

*Uses grunting, or just plainly make sounds at he points at the objects that he wants, as communication.

*Daydreaming, at an early age of 2, they do, and if this happens consistently, better see a doctor!


Pre-school/school age:

*Daydreaming. They seem inattentive in class.

*Difficulty speaking, usually slow, and stops every now and then. Difficulty in expressing themselves.
*Less interest in books and reading.

*Not interested with rhymes, hates spelling, and recitations.

* Difficulty in pronouncing words, and is easy to be distracted with noises.

*Slow and/or delayed response when asked. And difficulty answering questions, usually answers incompletely.

*Disruptive behavior. Hyperactive.

*Difficulty following instructions.

*Simply cannot cope up in class.

Next Topic: How to help your child cope up with this disorder.

Language Processing Disorder; My son had it.

When my son was born, there seemed to be nothing wrong with him. Aside from that he was quite thin (because I was on diet when I was pregnant) he’s healthy, grossly active and with no physical deformities. Not until when he was two that we learned there’s something wrong with him.

At 2 years old, babies normally could speak at least more than 20 words and 2-word phrases. I could hear from my son not more than 10 words and could say not 1 phrase. I thought he would eventually learn to say more. A trip to the doctor’s office proved me wrong.

I could never forget that day, it was his vaccine schedule. He wanted the toy that was at the table of our pediatrician. So he made sounds as he pointed at the toy. The doctor asked him what he wanted, instead of speaking he made sounds and pointed at the toy. The doctor asked me if that’s how he communicates when he wanted something, if he could say at least 20 words and 2-word phrases. And I told him yes most of the time, that was how he would communicate his wants, and he could say not more than 10 words. Our doctor advised us to see a Neuro-Pediatrician.

At the neuro-pediatrician’s clinic, my son was assessed for an hour, then came the scariest time in my life, the doctor’s diagnosis. I was scared the doctor would tell me my son is abnormal, and he is mentally retarded or autistic. I guess any mother in my situation then would feel the same. No mother would ever want to hear their son is not normal. And so the diagnosis came. He was with Language Processing Disorder. At first I didn’t know what to think, what is this disorder, what does it mean, is my son abnormal? And so the doctor explained, and assured me that this disorder is not mental retardation and not autism (although autistic children have this disorder). The doctor warned me though that I may expect my son to be a slow learner, and might no be able to cope up in school. She also told me that my son may develop cognitive (thinking) processing problems, and thus he may not become an achiever and may not go far in life. Though with early therapeutic intervention, these things might be avoided, but we could not expect it to be all of them. She advised that my son must undergo therapy the soonest time possible.

I was devastated. I dreamed and hoped great things for my son. At that moment, everything that I hoped for and dreamed for my son was taken away. I kept on asking myself, why me, why my son. Did I do something wrong that this happened to me. Have I been a bad mother? Did I not take care of myself when I was still pregnant? I cried a river for so many days. I didn’t know what to do. I kept on telling myself it could not happen to my son. It was all a mistake. My son is okay. My denial was so strong my son didn’t see a therapist until after a couple of weeks later. And the rest is history.

My son has come a long way. Four years after the day our pediatrician asked us how many words could he say, no one will believe if I tell them my son had language processing disorder. He is now at par with his age, and is in preparatory class. And I am proud to say, he’s one of the top, and he was chosen to represent his class in a reading and comprehension competition. He may not win, but with the neuro-pediatrician’s assessment on my son, this is something. And the only thing I could say is PRAISE GOD!

Welcome!

Specific learning Disabilities, Language Processing Disorder, most probably are not familiar with these, let me explain according to experience...

Normally babies start talking at age 18 months. As they reach their 24th month, they should at least could say 3-word phrases, and could verbally express their wants well. But when your child is 2 years old already and could say words not more than 30, could not express his wants verbally, then your child has Language Processing Disorder.

There are some children that no matter what you do, they could not learn one specific thing. For example, a child may be very good in language and comprehension, arts and music, but when it comes to numbers, he's having difficulties learning. This is the case of Specific Learning Disabilities.

SLD and LPD are disabilities that could leave children handicapped in life. But with proper and early intervention, and at the same time, awareness and understanding of parents, children with these situations would be able to cope up and eventually live a normal life.

***SLD and LPD are not the same with and in no way could be compared to mental retardation and autism.

Expect to read everything a parent needs to know about these disabilities and how they could help their kids from this page in days to come....