Basic Information
Expressive language involves the ability to express one’s thoughts. Some children can easily understand what is said to them, but they have difficulties when they try to form a response and express themselves.
Expressive language disorders can also be acquired (occurring as a result of brain damage/injury), as in-aphasia. The developmental type is more common in children, whereas the acquired type is more common in the elderly. An expressive language disorder could occur in a child of normal intelligence, or it could be a component of a condition affecting mental functioning more broadly (i.e. autism).
SymptomsSymptoms of expressive language disorder differ from one child to the next and depend on the child’s age and the degree of the impairment. Common symptoms include:
TreatmentTreatment options depend on the severity of the impairment. Treatment may include:
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DIagnosisIf your child is having difficulties with speaking or expressive language, have his or her language skills assessed by a speech pathologist (speech therapist). Do not delay an assessment, because your child may miss many months of important therapy. It is also important to have your child’s hearing assessed.
Speech pathologists perform specific assessments to identify the areas of language that a child finds difficult. These assessments are not stressful for the child, and parents are usually present during these consultations. Speech pathologists may also recommend:
This video gives many examples of an Expressive Langauge Disorder
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