Expressive Language Disorders

What is Expressive Language Delay/Disorder?

Expressive language is often thought of as the language you verbally produce; however language is expressed through words, gestures, facial expressions and body language. An expressive language delay or disorder means that children have a hard time expressing themselves with speech and/or other forms of communication, such as sign language, gestures, or writing. With an expressive language disorder, children have age-appropriate receptive language skills, or the ability to understand language, but decreased ability to communicate their wants and needs, or express themselves.

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What are some red flags or warning signs that my child may have an expressive language delay/disorder?

Some red flags or warning signs for expressive language delay/disorder may include:

• Your child understands everything you tell them (e.g., follows simple directions, understands “yes/no” and “wh” questions), but has a difficult time putting words or sentences together
• Your child may appear frustrated and point, gesture, or retrieve desired objects on his/her own in order to communicate or get his/her needs and wants met
• Your child may use only sounds (e.g., grunting), single words, or short phrases or sentences
• He/she may use a smaller vocabulary than other children his/her age, leave out words in sentences, or have difficulty with verb tense (e.g., past, present, future), describing items or events, or asking or answering questions. 

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How is an expressive language delay/disorder evaluated?

An expressive language delay/disorder is evaluated by a speech-language pathologist who uses a variety of assessment tools. The evaluation is conducted to best fit the needs of your child, and often includes a combination of standardized measures (to formally compare skills to same-aged peers), informal measures (e.g., play-based, conversation, story retell), and parent- and/or client-interview. 

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When I should seek help for concerns with my child's expressive language?

An expressive language delay/disorder can affect children a variety of ages, as young as 1-2 years old (e.g., babbling, environmental sounds, single words, word combinations) to elementary, middle, and high-school age (e.g., grammar, vocabulary, conversation skills), and beyond. You should seek help for concerns if you feel that your child is falling behind other children his/her age, appears frustrated, and/or is having difficulty in school. 

You can seek help by contacting your pediatrician, school team, early intervention (birth to 3), or a private therapy practice such as Midwest Speech Therapy. Our intake staff and clinical team are also available to answer questions - if you have concerns that you would like to discuss with a professional, please call the MWST clinic.

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If my child has an expressive language delay/disorder, what would potential treatment look like?

If your child has an expressive language delay/disorder, treatment will focus on building his/her expressive communication. Therapy sessions will target the specific needs of your child, as therapy is often client-led. Depending on your child's age and skill level activities may be play-based, semi-structured or highly structured. 

Because expressive communication can come in a variety of forms (e.g., verbal language, sign language), therapy often trial a variety of strategies, such as simple sign language, incorporation of visuals, or alternative augmentative communication (AAC). AAC could range from simple gestures or signs, to a picture exchange communication system or static picture board to a high-tech AAC device with speech-generating capabilities (e.g., an iPad with a communication system installed). All of these strategies assist with building expressive language and functional communication skills.

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Resources

Developmental norms for speech and language (ASHA): https://www.asha.org/slp/schools/prof-consult/norms/ 

Stages of Typical Expressive Language Development: https://www.speech-language-therapy.com