Language Disorders
Other developmental disorders that can impact on learning
In addition to specific learning disorders, there are also a number of other developmental disorders which can have a negative impact on how a child develops academic skills. Two of these disorders are:
- Developmental language disorder (DLD)
- Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) (see Dyspraxia)
Developmental language disorder
Developmental language disorder (previously known as specific language impairment) is diagnosed when a student has persistent language problems that continue into school age. Difficulties with the comprehension and use of words and sentences to convey information and ideas are common for these students. Problems can occur in different modalities of language: spoken, written and/or signed. At school entry, approximately two children in every class of thirty students are considered to experience a language disorder significant enough to impinge on their academic progress. However, language difficulties often go undetected and may not be evident unless the student’s receptive (understanding of) and expressive (use of ) language is assessed formally. These students typically require additional help beyond targeted classroom support and should be referred to a speech pathologist for more detailed evaluation and intervention tailored to their specific needs.
Developmental language disorder can be defined as:
… difficulties with language development that endure into middle childhood and beyond, with a significant impact on everyday social interactions, emotional well-being, behavioural regulation and educational progress. It is characterised by difficulties understanding and using words and sentences to express meanings, which are unlikely to resolve without specialist support.
It is recognised that developmental language disorder emerges in the course of development, rather than being acquired or associated with a known biomedical cause. However, a language disorder may occur as part of a more complex pattern of impairments that requires a specific intervention pathway (e.g. language disorder associated with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, or cerebral palsy).
What you might see in the classroom
Early Years | Primary School | Secondary School |
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Information reproduced from AUSPELD Understanding Learning Difficulties: A practical guide (Revised edition).