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.