Learners with

difficulty
communicating

Prepared by:

Belen, Louise Kevin C.

Martin, Renz Gerard R.
Communication Disorders

– A child with a communication disorder has

trouble communicating with others. He or
she may not understand or make the sounds
of speech. The child may also struggle with
word choice, word order, or sentence
structure.
There are several types of these
disorders
– Mixed receptive-expressive language disorder. A child has developmental delays and
problems understanding spoken language and speaking.
– Expressive language disorder. A child has developmental delays and problems
speaking.
– Speech-sound disorders. A child has a hard time expressing words clearly past a
certain age.
– Childhood-onset fluency disorder. This is also known as stuttering. It starts in
childhood and can last throughout life.
– Social communication disorder. A child has trouble with verbal and nonverbal
communication that is not caused by thinking problems.
What causes communication
disorders in a child?

– Physical problems such as a problem in

brain development
– Exposure to poisons (toxins) during
pregnancy, such as street drugs or lead
– Gene problems
Which children are at risk for communication
disorders?

– Boys tend to be diagnosed with these

disorders more often than girls.
Researchers don’t know why. Children with
these conditions often have other mental
health problems.
What are the symptoms of
communication disorders in a child?

– Not speaking at all

– Limited word choice for his or her age
– Trouble grasping simple directions or
naming objects
How are communication disorders diagnosed in a
child?

– Most children with these disorders are referred to

a speech-language pathologist. This is a speech
expert who treats children who are having
problems communicating. Your child may also see
a child psychiatrist. That is often the case if the
child has emotional or behavioral problems.
A full evaluation may involve:

– Psychological testing of thinking abilities

– Psychometric testing to check a child’s
reasoning skills, reactions to different
situations, and thinking. It does not test
general knowledge.
How are communication disorders treated in a
child?

– Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general

health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is.
– A speech-language pathologist will work with your child to
improve his or her communication skills. Treatment is often a team
effort. Parents, teachers, and mental health experts may also be
involved. Treatment may include:

– Individual or group support

– Special classes
How can I help prevent communication disorders in
my child?

– Experts don’t know at this time how to

prevent these disorders in children. But
finding them early and taking action right
away can help with your child’s
development and school issues. They can
improve the child’s quality of life.
Key points about communication disorders in
children

– A child with a communication disorder has

trouble communicating with others.
– The cause may be biological or environmental,
such as being exposed to lead.
– Some common symptoms are not speaking at all
and having trouble expressing words.
– A speech-language pathologist often treats a
communication disorder in a child.
– Finding the problem early and taking action right
away can help with your child’s development and
school problems related to communication
disorders.
Thank you!!!