Thursday, April 30, 2009

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 is almost fully developed at 4 years old. 



Now, how does the brain develops?


For the brain to be fully developed, the brain cells, which are called neurons should grow completely. When we say grow completely, it means synapses should grow from them and connect with the synapses of other brain cells. This happens if there is learning or the repetitive use of the brain cell. 


Example, when a child learns about one thing, say a word, synapses grow from a neuron to connect with other synapses of other neurons for this particular learned knowledge. The repetitive use of this learned word will make nerve impulses to travel to and fro the neurons by way of the synapses.Through this, the synapse connections become permanent. As more and more things are learned, more and more neurons grow and connect with each other. As more neurons are formed and connected with more neurons, the brain becomes able to perform complex functions and process complex knowledge. 


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 language. As the child learns to speak, also comes 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 are no nerve impulses or electrical impulses to travel through synapses. If nerve/electrical impulses do not travel through the synapses, the synapses die. As synapses die, brain cells cannot connect with other brain cells making them unable to work. As brain cells become unable to work, they start to weaken and also die.

A child's brain should be developed by 4 years old. With language processing disorder, this development is then disrupted. How can a child whose brain was not developed properly, 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. At 2 years old, a child's brain should be 50% 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 it. It's not the disorder that was hard to accept, but the facts of it. The unfortunate possibilities that lay ahead for your child, the thought of these is horrifying. It took me several weeks before I went to the therapist, 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 the help necessary for him to cope up with the situation he is in.

Stumble Upon Toolbar Add to Technorati Favorites

1 comment:

Jane said...

Angelita- Thank you for writing back. I didn't realize you had commented on my blog until now, I'm sorry for not getting back to you sooner! Well, just to give you an update: My son will be attending an excellent center-based school this fall, where he will receive individualized attention there. His current Pre-K teachers are hoping he will only need this sort of early intervention for a short period of time and we're all hoping he can re-enroll back to his current school the following year. He's also receiving speech and OT after school. We feel very blessed for all the support we've been receiving from his teachers, therapists, family, board of ed, friends, etc.

I am due to give birth very, very soon with my second child (my due date is tomorrow!) so things may get very hectic here for a while. But please, I hope you continue blogging and I will be sure to check up on it when things calm down a bit. Thanks again, Angelita!