Disordered language development and communication
An individual with disordered language development may have difficulty with:
- understanding complex spoken or written language,
instructions or questions
- reading
- spelling and grammar
- taking in and making sense of information
- accessing the most important items of information
- understanding jargon, irony, humour or euphemisms
When expressing an opinion an individual with disordered language development may have difficulty:
- forming complex spoken or written language
- asking questions or obtaining information
- writing, spelling and grammar
- expressing thoughts or opinions coherently
- finding the right words
- responding quickly
Key actions
To assist a person with disordered language development to
express themselves fully, you should offer:
- extra time to respond to a question or express their
views
- assistance to ask questions or obtain information
- written materials produced in clear and precise
format
- access to alternative, non-verbal forms of
communication, such as symbols or photographs.
Children with disordered language
development
Children with disordered language development experience
particular difficulties (for example, in engaging in
school).
You can help by:
- identifying how their language disorder impacts on
them
- listening to and consulting with children about their
speech and language difficulties
- being positive and encouraging
- involving their parents
- taking account of their age and different levels of
ability
- giving them time and plenty of information
- creating a communication friendly environment.
Key actions
When communicating with a child with disordered language
development you can help by:
- structuring discussions as short conversations
- keeping conversations interesting and checking the
child has understood
- not asking too many questions
- keeping information concrete and specific
- using video, diaries, art, games or drawings to support
their conversation, if required.
 Disordered language development: further
information
Disordered
language development (MS Word)
Disordered
language development (Adobe PDF)
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