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 parts of the world, older people do not recognize speech delay as a disorder. For them, sooner the child will eventually learn to speak. This could be true to some kids, but not to everyone.

Language processing disorder is an emotionally and cognitively debilitating disorder which greatly affects a child’s life. Without therapy intervention, the child might not be able to outgrow the disorder. 


With LPD, verbal message processing becomes difficult which leads to inability of communicating 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 situations, becomes very hard. From cildhood, this may continue through adulthood. Imagine how this child will fit in this world?

Language processing disorder can be mild, moderately severe, and severe. For the mild cases, with 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 and be at par with kids his age. School will not be a struggle and academic achievements can be expected.

For the moderately severe cases, the child’s progress will be slower. 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. A possible struggle on focus and attention span may arise. It would be most likely that the child will be a little behind in the class. Sped school may be a better option, though not necessary.

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

As for the severe cases, enduring patience of the parents will be needed. Progress will be a lot slower. 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 the child. Focus and attention will definitely be a problem for these children. 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 by the 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 sound, thus they find difficulty in learning to talk. They find it difficult to understand words. And although children of this situation will eventually learn to talk, school will not be easy and so is life.


What causes language processing disorder?

*According to the neuro-pedia doctor, there are yet no known causes 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 dean's list. I guess that was why my son had it.)

Note: Males are mostly affected, and if females are, they are mostly extreme - 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 as 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 something's wrong.

At 2 years old, babies could normally speak 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 would feel the same. No mother would ever want to hear their son is not normal. 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? 


The doctor explained and assured me that this disorder is not mental retardation neither 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 not 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 I could not expect much. 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, it seemed like 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 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 he could 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!