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Definition

Developmental expressive language disorder is a condition in which a child has lower than normal ability in vocabulary, producing complex sentences, and remembering words. However, children with this disorder may have the normal language skills needed to understand verbal or written communication.

Alternative Names

Language disorder - expressive

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Approximately 3 - 10% of all school-age children have expressive language disorder. It is a pretty common issue in children.

The causes of this disorder are not well understood. Damage to the cerebrum of the brain and malnutrition may cause some cases. Genetic factors may also be involved.

Symptoms
  • Below-average vocabulary skills
  • Improper use of tenses (past, present, future)
  • Problems making complex sentences
  • Problems remembering words
Signs and tests

Standardized expressive language and nonverbal intellectual tests should be conducted if an expressive language disorder is suspected. Testing for other learning disabilities may also be needed.

Treatment

Language therapy is the best method to treat this type of disorder. The goal of this therapy is to increase the number of phrases a child can use. This is done by using block-building techniques and speech therapy.

Expectations (prognosis)

How much the child recovers depends on the severity of the disorder. With reversible factors, such as vitamin deficiencies, there may be nearly full recovery.

Children who do not have any other developmental or motor coordination problems have the best outlook (prognosis). Often, such children have a family history of delays in language milestones, but eventually catch up.

Complications
  • Learning problems
  • Low self-esteem
  • Social problems
Calling your health care provider

If you are concerned about a child's language development, have the child tested.

Prevention

Good nutrition during pregnancy and early childhood and prenatal care may help. Other methods of prevention are unknown.

References

Simms MD. Language disorders in children: classification and clinical syndromes. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2007;54(3):437-467.

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What are examples of expressive language?

Examples of expressive language include poetry, metaphors, similes, storytelling, and emotive writing. These forms of language are used to convey feelings, emotions, and creativity in a personal and unique way.


How are receptive and expressive language related?

Receptive and expressive language are two components of language development that are closely related. Receptive language refers to the ability to understand and comprehend language, while expressive language refers to the ability to produce and communicate through language. They are interdependent as understanding and comprehension of language contribute to a person's ability to effectively express themselves.


Language disorder - children?

DefinitionLanguage disorder in children refers to problems with either:Getting their meaning or message across to others (expressive language disorder), orUnderstanding the message coming from others (receptive language disorder)Some children only have an expressive language disorder. Others have a mixed receptive-expressive language disorder, meaning that they have symptoms of both conditions.Children with language disorders are able to produce sounds, and their speech can be understood.Alternative NamesDevelopmental aphasia; Developmental dysphasia; Delayed language; Specific developmental language disorder; SLI; Communication disorder - language disorderCauses, incidence, and risk factorsFor most infants and children, language develops naturally beginning at birth. To develop language, a child must be able to hear, see, understand, and remember. Children must also have the physical ability to form speech.Up to 1 out of every 20 children has symptoms of a language disorder. When the cause is unknown, it is called a developmental language disorder.Problems with receptive language skills usually begin before age 4. Some mixed language disorders are caused by a brain injury, and these are sometimes misdiagnosed as developmental disorders.Language disorders may occur in children with other developmental problems, autistic spectrum disorders, hearing loss, and learning disabilities. A language disorder may also be caused by damage to the central nervous system, which is called aphasia.Language disorders are rarely caused by a lack of intelligence.Language disorders are different than delayed language. With delayed language, the child develops speech and language in the same way as other children, but later. In language disorders, speech and language do not develop normally. The child may have some language skills, but not others. Or, the way in which these skills develop will be different than usual.SymptomsA child with language disorder may have one or two of the symptoms listed below, or many of the symptoms. Symptoms can range from mild to severe.Children with a receptive language disorder have difficulty understanding langugae. They may have:A hard time understanding what other people have saidProblems following directions that are spoken to themProblems organizing their thoughtsChildren with an expressive language disorder have problems using language to express what they are thinking or need. These children may:Have a hard time putting words together into sentences, or their sentences may be simple and short and the word order may be offHave difficulty finding the right words when talking, and often use placeholder words such as "um"Have a vocabulary that is below the level of other children the same ageLeave words out of sentences when talkingUse certain phrases over and over again, and repeat (echo) parts or all of questionsUse tenses (past, present, future) improperlyBecause of their language problems, these children may have difficulty in social settings. At times, language disorders may be part of the cause of severe behavioral problems.Signs and testsA medical history may reveal that the child has close relatives who have also had speech and language problems.Any child suspected of having this disorder can have standardized receptive and expressive language tests. A speech and language therapist or neuropsychologist will administer these tests.An audiogramshould also be done to rule out deafness, which is one of the most common causes of language problems.TreatmentSpeech and language therapy is the best approach to treating this type of language disorder.Psychological therapy (psychotherapy, counseling, or cognitive behavioral therapy) is also recommended because of the possibility of related emotional or behavioral problems.Expectations (prognosis)The outcome varies based on the cause. Brain injury or other structural problems generally have a poor outcome, in which the child will have long-term problems with language. Other, more reversible causes can be treated effectively.Many children who have language problems during the preschool years will also have some language problems or learning difficulty later in childhood. They may also have reading disorders.ComplicationsDifficulty understanding and using language can cause problems with social interaction and the ability to function independently as an adult.Reading may be a problem.Depression, anxiety, and other emotional or behavioral problems may complicate language disorders.Calling your health care providerParents who are concerned that their child's speech or language is delayed should see their primary care provider. Ask about getting a referral to a speech and language therapist.Children who are diagnosed with this condition may need to be seen by a neurologist or children's developmental specialist to determine if the cause can be treated.Call your child's health care provider if you see the following signs that your child does not understand language well:At 15 months, does not look or point at 5 to 10 people or objects when they are named by a parent or caregiverAt 18 months, does not follow simple directions, such as "get your coat"At 24 months, is not able to point to a picture or a part of the body when it is namedAt 30 months, does not respond out loud or by nodding or shaking the head and asking questionsAt 36 months, does not follow 2-step directions, and does not understand action wordsAlso call if you notice these signs that your child does not use or express language well:At 15 months, is not using three wordsAt 18 months, is not saying, "Mama," "Dada," or other namesAt 24 months, is not using at least 25 wordsAt 30 months, is not using two-word phrases, including phrases that include both a noun and a verbAt 36 months, does not have at least a 200-word vocabulary, is not asking for items by name, exactly repeats questions spoken by others, language has regressed (become worse), or is not using complete sentencesAt 48 months, often uses words incorrectly or uses a similar or related word instead of the correct wordReferencesLyon GR, Shaywitz SE, Shaywitz BA. Specific language and learning disabilities. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 32.Sharp HM, Hillenbrand K. Speech and language development and disorders in children. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2008;55:1159-1173.Simms MD. Language disorders in children: classification and clinical syndromes. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2007;54:437-467.Reviewed ByReview Date: 06/29/2010Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.


What is another name for Expressive dysphasia?

Another name for expressive dysphasia is Broca's aphasia. This condition affects a person's ability to produce language, resulting in difficulty with forming coherent sentences and expressing thoughts verbally.


How many words are in the Italian language?

There are over 270,000 words in the Italian language, making it one of the richest and most expressive languages in the world.

Related Questions

What does the medical abbreviation RTT mean?

Rett syndrome. Is a disorder of the nervous system that leads to developmental reversals, especially in the areas of expressive language and hand use.


Mixed receptive-expressive language disorder?

DefinitionMixed receptive-expressive language disorder is a language disability that causes impairment of both the understanding and the expression of language.Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThree to five percent of all children have either receptive or expressive language disorder, or both. These children have difficulty understanding speech (language receptivity) and using language (language expression). The cause is unknown, but there may be genetic factors, and malnutrition may play a role.Problems with receptive language skills usually begin before the age of four. Some mixed language disorders are caused by brain injury, and these are sometimes misdiagnosed as developmental disorders.SymptomsProblems with language comprehensionProblems with language expressionSpeech contains many articulation errorsDifficulty recalling early sight or sound memoriesSigns and testsStandardized receptive and expressive language tests can be given to any child suspected of having this disorder. An audiogram should also be given to rule out the possibility of deafness, as it is one of the most common causes of language problems.All children diagnosed with this condition should be seen by a neurologist or developmental pediatric specialist to determine if the cause can be reversed.TreatmentSpeech and language therapy are the best approach to this type of language disorder. Psychotherapy is also recommended because of the possibility of associated emotional or behavioral problems.Expectations (prognosis)The outcome varies based on the underlying cause. Brain injury or other structural pathology is generally associated with a poor outcome with chronic deficiencies in language, while other, more reversible causes can be treated effectively.ComplicationsDifficulty understanding and using language can cause problems with social interaction and ability to function independently as an adult.Calling your health care providerParents who are concerned about their child's acquisition of language should have the child tested. Early intervention will provide the best possible outcome.


Most expressive language?

I think the most expressive language is Hebrew or Finnish.


What are developmental needs?

Developmental needs are something which we grow up with. For example, a young child may be diagnosed with Autism from an early age. This is a developmental disorder as the child developes through life with this disorder. As the child gets older, the disorder may get worse. Some developmental needs may be needed for that child to live a happy life with the disorder.


What is expressive aphasia?

Expressive aphasia is a neurogenic communicative disorder characterized by the inability to speak or verbally communicate. This disorder is typically associated with damage in Broca's area in the frontal lobe of the brain.


What does expressive language means?

an expressive face


What are examples of expressive language?

Examples of expressive language include poetry, metaphors, similes, storytelling, and emotive writing. These forms of language are used to convey feelings, emotions, and creativity in a personal and unique way.


What is PDD?

PDD is an acronym for pervasive developmental disability, which is a description of a type of developmental disorder. It means the same as autism spectrum disorder. It encompasses five conditions: autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and PDD-Not Otherwise Specified. See the related question below "What are autism spectrum disorders?" for more details.


What category is ADHD?

ADHD is classified as a neurobehavioral developmental disorder.


How are receptive and expressive language related?

Receptive and expressive language are two components of language development that are closely related. Receptive language refers to the ability to understand and comprehend language, while expressive language refers to the ability to produce and communicate through language. They are interdependent as understanding and comprehension of language contribute to a person's ability to effectively express themselves.


Brain disease disbracsia?

Dyspraxia is a disorder affecting fine and gross motor coordination in children and adults. This disorder is a developmental coordination disorder.


What are the complications of Pervasive Developmental disorder?

The #1 complication of Pervasive developmental disorder is that people with it have trouble making friends because they can't relate to other people, and don't have very much social skills.