What is Expressive Language Disorder?
Expressive language disorder is a communication condition where individuals have difficulty expressing themselves verbally. People who suffer from expressive language disorder may struggle to find the right words, form complex sentences, or use appropriate grammar and vocabulary. It’s important to note that expressive language disorder is not a speech disorder, nor is it a problem with intelligence; it’s a problem with communication and being able to communicate effectively.
Despite difficulties with expressing language, people with expressive language disorder are often able to understand language as it is conveyed to them (receptive language). Those who suffer from the disorder may struggle with social interactions, academic performance, and overall communication skills.
Treatments for expressive language disorder typically involve speech and language therapy, with a focus on enhancing vocabulary, sentence structure, and other effective communication strategies.
Expressive Language Disorder Signs and Symptoms
Expressive language disorder, like most communication disorders, is developmental, with the first signs typically showing up in early childhood when children first develop the ability to communicate. While symptoms can vary by age, common signs of expressive language disorder in an individual include:
- Limited Vocabulary: Difficulty using a variety of words or frequently relying on simple or repetitive language.
- Incomplete Sentences: Struggling to form complete or grammatically correct sentences, often omitting key words.
- Difficulty with Word Retrieval: Frequent pauses or filler words, like “uh” and “um,” as the individual struggles to find the right words during a conversation.
- Reduced Sentence Length: Using shorter, less complex sentences compared to peers of the same age.
- Challenges with Narrative Skills: Difficulty telling stories or describing events in a coherent manner, often leading to unclear communication.
- Difficulty with Social Communication: Trouble initiating or maintaining conversations, responding appropriately, or understanding conversational cues.
- Frustration in Communication: Signs of frustration or anxiety when trying to express thoughts or ideas, particularly in social situations.
Many people with expressive language disorder choose not to talk altogether, as they may find it too frustrating or worry about being judged by others. This can lead to individuals with expressive language disorder coming across as withdrawn or antisocial.
Causes of Expressive Language Disorder
Currently, there is no one cause of expressive language disorder, as several factors may play a role. Some common factors that might contribute to the development of this disorder include:
- Genetic factors
- Developmental delays
- Neurological factors
- Environmental factors
- Hearing impairments
How Expressive Language Disorder is Diagnosed
Expressive language disorder is diagnosed through a comprehensive evaluation by a speech-language pathologist (SLP). This can include gathering developmental history from parents and caregivers about the individual’s language milestones and current abilities.
The SLP may also administer standardized language assessments to measure expressive skills, such as vocabulary and sentence structure, and observe the individual during natural interactions to assess real-life communication.
Insights from parents and teachers may also be considered to get a better understanding of the individual’s abilities to communicate across different settings. Lastly, the SLP will develop a personalized treatment plan based on their findings.
To learn more about other common language disorders, visit our resources section.