Early Childhood Language Disorders
Most children acquire language in the same way, but not at the same rate. This means that some children are early to talk and understand language, while others have difficulty listening and appropriately communicating. Those children that display a difficulty with producing (expressive) or understanding (receptive) language may have a language disorder.
Preschool-aged children with early childhood language disorders may demonstrate a difficulty understanding directions and/or questions as well as problems with learning and producing new words.
Signs of a Receptive Language Disorder
difficulty identifying objects
decreased ability to understand questions
difficulty following directions
decreased understanding of gestures
Signs of an Expressive Language Disorder
difficulty naming objects
decreased ability to ask questions
difficulty acquiring new words
decreased use of gestures
difficulty learning songs or rhymes
Possible Causes of Early Childhood Language Disorders
premature birth
hearing loss
low birth weight
developmental disorders, like autism
genetic disorders, like Down syndrome
fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
cerebral palsy
traumatic brain injury
stroke
poor nutrition
history of familial language disorders