What is a Language Disorder?
A true language disorder is defined as when a person has trouble understanding others (receptive language), or sharing thoughts, ideas, and feelings completely (expressive language) which impacts his or her comprehension, vocabulary and ability to form sentences appropriately.
Language is different from speech.
Language is made up of socially shared rules that include the following:
- What words mean (e.g., "star" can refer to a bright object in the night sky or a celebrity)
- How to make new words (e.g., friend, friendly, unfriendly)
- How to put words together (e.g., "Peg walked to the new store" rather than "Peg walk store new")
- What word combinations are best in what situations ("Would you mind moving your foot?" could quickly change to "Get off my foot, please!" if the first request did not produce results)
Language Development Handouts and Information
The following website is a source for language development and homework helps in the areas of syntax and vocabulary.
Alpine District Speech/Language Collaborative Website
Alpine District Speech/Language Collaborative Website
Language Videos