Language processing disorder can result in exam failure

People who have difficulty understanding what others are saying, and struggle to translate even simple thoughts into words, may be showing signs of expressive and receptive language processing disorder that affect a person’s inability to communicate through spoken language.

At Capulum College we guide and help high school learners who fail to understand what they’re instructed to do – they don’t grasp what a question is asking. They, therefore, have been losing marks in examinations through an incorrect response – and not because they haven’t studied.

The two types of language processing disorders are:

• expressive language disorder – making it difficult for a person to a put thoughts into words and to express themselves, and
• receptive language disorder – the difficulty to understand what others are saying.

Some may experience difficulties just talking and expressing their thoughts, while others may find it difficult to follow directions, maintain attention or understand what others are saying.

For example, you are telling a joke or relaying an amazing story and, suddenly, you lose the gist of what you are trying to say. For someone with either of these difficulties this is what happens regularly and leads to enormous frustration, and lack of self-confidence.

To avoid a lifetime of difficulties – self-esteem problems and bullying – that can turn the young into demoralised, frustrated, ‘problem children’, it’s important that language disorders are caught when a child is young.

Here we aim to help you with an understanding of these intricate but common conditions.

The two types of language disorders – expressive and receptive – have been highlighted but remember, it’s possible to have a combination of both these conditions making life just a little more difficult.

Like most other learning disabilities, language disorders are generally developmental. They are apparent from a young age.

The symptoms of language processing disorders differ but, generally, a child is born with a language disorder. There are usually important patterns that develop at different times in a child’s life. When a child is born with a language disorder, he or she is often a ‘late talker’, along with other symptoms that usually appear before the age of about four years. Language disorders are sometimes diagnosed in those with intellectual difficulties but, generally, they are apparent in those with average or above-average intelligence. Sadly, these children’s true ability is not always recognised because they have so much trouble trying reveal what they really can do.

If a language disorder is mild, symptoms may be difficult to detect. It is often passed off as someone who looks a bit ‘spacey’ or even shy.  If you notice these symptoms in yourself or your child, talk to your doctor or the staff at your child’s school.

Some points to consider when looking at expressive language problems, include:

• Is the vocabulary not developed enough for the age of the child?
• The use a lot of “um,” or “stuff” and “things” instead of more specific words while they search for the appropriate vocabulary.
• May confuse present, past and future tenses.
• Repeating phrases when telling a story or answering a question. This is also to try and reinforce in their own minds what they are trying to say.
• Frequently saying sentences that don’t make sense.
• Having trouble learning new words.
• Feeling like words are constantly stuck ‘on the tip of the tongue’.
• Often seeming frustrated when they can’t express what they really want to say.

A person with a receptive language disorder may:

• Seem distant and not very interested in social conversations.
• Find difficulty following a series of directions.
• Often misunderstand what is asked and tends to answer or act incorrectly.
• Have problems trying to understand a joke.
• Seem shy or withdrawn.

If a person seems to display symptoms from both lists, it’s possible that he/she may have a combination of expressive and receptive language disorder.

What help can you offer?

Your child will need a speech therapist’s assessment that will provide a treatment plan and recommend speech therapy. It may also be recommended that your child sees a psychologist if there are any self-esteem problems. It should also be recommended that children with these learning issues move to a remedial school such as Capulum College, where classes are small, and the staff has the time to work with individuals at their respective levels and speed of learning.

At Capulum College an Individual Education Plan (IEP), based on the various assessments required, is developed. The programme is then tailor-made for your child.