How To Spot Language Processing Disorder

A language processing disorder is a condition more common than individuals know. It is when someone struggles to understand what another person says to them or has difficulty expressing their thoughts. Although there are many common symptoms, they can manifest differently between individuals. There are two main types of language disorders: receptive and expressive. Individuals with receptive disorders have issues following conversations, while those with the expressive form have a hard time articulating their thoughts. It is entirely possible for a patient to have a combination of the two. Having a language disorder can have lifelong impacts if it is not caught early and dealt with.

Poor Reading Comprehension

Exhibiting poor reading comprehension is one way to spot a child struggling with language processing disorder. This is a symptom seen easier in children, as they are in school and have certain expectations placed on them with regards to literacy. With this disorder, it is difficult for a child to process the words they are hearing and make sense of them. As a result, language mastery is incredibly hard. Language mastery is considered crucial when developing reading skills.

Vocabulary building is complicated, as is learning language syntax patterns. When someone speaks to a child struggling with language processing disorder, it does not matter how clearly or loudly they speak. The child struggles to make sense of what they are hearing. As a result, learning phonetics and how sounds relate to each other is tough. The skills that normally develop at the same time as reading comprehension, such as spelling and grammar, are negatively impacted as well.

Difficulty Expressing Self Verbally

One of the easiest ways to see an individual is struggling with language processing disorder is if they can never seem to say what they mean. It is hard for them to carry on a conversation with anyone. Difficulty expressing self verbally is often a symptom of language processing disorders that carry on from childhood into adulthood. It is crucial for children with this problem to start speech therapy at a young age to help them with their language skills. Having a hard time expressing thoughts is a symptom of an expressive, as opposed to receptive, language processing disorder, which is why working with a speech therapist can be effective.

Can't Think Of Words

Adding to the difficulty with expressing themselves, individuals with language processing disorders often can't think of the words they want to use. They may struggle to come up with what seems like a simple word, and say 'that thing' instead. Often, their sentences make no sense to anyone but them. It is common for them to make up their own word to replace the one they cannot think of. They may say a word close to what they mean, but is not quite right. An example would be referring to their leg as an arm, or vice versa. This is another symptom that can carry on from childhood to adulthood if treatment isn't sought out or is unsuccessful.

Difficulty Understanding Jokes

Something that can be frustrating for those with language processing disorder is their inability to understand what everyone else is laughing at. The difficulty understanding jokes comes from their tendency to take everything literally. They struggle enough with the actual meaning of words during a conversation; trying to figure out someone being witty or making exaggerated statements can seem impossible.

Sarcasm, in particular, seems to present a challenge because the person usually means the opposite of what they are saying. Someone with language processing disorder is also unlikely to make jokes of their own. This inability to understand what others are laughing at is a big contributor to the isolation and loneliness that can come with this disorder.

Frustrated Or Depressed At Not Having A Way To Say Things

Language is an essential part of how individuals interact with each other and their surroundings. Not being able to do what seems to be simple for others is bound to cause an impact on mental health. Frustration with not being able to express themselves often leads children to lash out. They may become bullies, or refuse to participate in school activities. Isolation is a crucial sign their difficulty communicating has caused them to become depressed. When someone is clearly feeling frustrated or depressed at not having a way to say things, there is a good chance language processing disorder is behind it. It is not the person has nothing to say, but instead no way to say it, which would be upsetting for anyone.