Expressive language disorder (ETD) is a developmental language disorder in which the person who suffers from it has difficulty expressing themselves verbally accurately and coherently. This language alteration is not related to hearing or IQ, that is, people who suffer from it have problems processing and understanding auditory information. In fact, those who suffer from it have an average or above average IQ.
In this Psychology-Online article, we explain in detail what the Expressive language disorder: causes, symptoms and treatment. You will also see the different ways in which this language alteration manifests itself.
What is expressive language disorder
Expressive language disorder (ELD) is a condition that affects the ability to use language, both in children and adults. They often have difficulty following verbal instructions, remembering words and concepts, and understanding conversations. Sufferers may appear shy or quiet, and may avoid social situations that require public speaking or interacting with other people.
Specifically, children with expressive language disorder may have difficulty forming grammatical sentences., use a wide vocabulary and express your thoughts. It can affect academic performance in areas such as reading, writing and social skills.
For adults, this language impairment can have a significant impact on their ability to communicate in both personal and professional situations and, although improvement is possible, it can be a lifelong difficulty.
Types of expressive language disorder
What are expressive language disorders? There are several types differentiated by their etiology, symptoms and prognosis. The most common types of TLE are the following:
- Specific language disorder (SLI): People who suffer from this disorder have significant difficulties in the acquisition and use of language, which are not related to an intellectual disability, hearing loss, autism spectrum disorders, emotional or environmental problems.
- Mixed receptive-expressive language disorder: People with this type of expressive language disorder show difficulties in understanding and expressing oral language.
- Phonological disorder: People with phonological disorder have difficulties in producing speech sounds and understanding the message.
- Motor speech disorder: Individuals with this motor speech disorder have difficulty coordinating and planning the movements necessary to produce speech.
- Childhood aphasia: partial or total loss of the ability to communicate through oral language and is caused by brain injuries. In this article you will find information about the .
Causes of expressive language disorder
The causes of expressive language disorder are not completely defined, as there is no single cause, but it is believed that they may be the result of the following factors:
- Genetic factors: Studies show that expressive language disorder may have a genetic basis. Researchers have identified certain genes that may increase the risk of language disorders. Genetic analysis may be useful to help diagnose a language disorder and predict the course of the disease.
- Brain development problems: Expressive language disorder may be related to problems in brain development. This may be due to factors such as lack of oxygen during childbirth, infections or brain injuries. Studies claim that there are differences in brain structure and function compared between children with expressive language disorders and infants with typical language development.
- Environmental factors: may contribute to the development of expressive language disorder. Some of these factors may be exposure to certain toxins during fetal development, stress, poor nutrition during childhood, child abuse, and lack of linguistic stimulation at an early age.
- Emotional or social problemsSome children with expressive language disorder may also experience emotional or social problems that contribute to communication difficulties, such as low self-esteem or social isolation.
- Presence of other disorders: Expressive language disorders may also be related to other neurodevelopmental problems, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and , which have also been linked to differences in brain structure and function.
If expressive language disorder occurs in adulthood, it may be due to brain injuries or speech and language development disorders that were not adequately addressed in childhood. Furthermore, it is also related to the aging or degenerative diseasessuch as Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Symptoms of expressive language disorder
How do I know if my child has expressive language disorder? The symptoms vary from person to person, that is, they can manifest themselves in different ways. Below, we show you the main characteristics of the TEL:
- Limited vocabulary: People with expressive language disorder may have difficulty expressing their thoughts and feelings because they cannot find the right words. Their vocabulary may be limited or they may use simple words more frequently.
- Grammatical errors: Those who suffer from SLI sometimes have language difficulties in forming grammatical sentences. They may make errors in sentence structure, word order, and may have difficulty using pronouns, prepositions, and other language elements correctly.
- Difficulty following verbal instructions: Individuals with expressive language disorder may have difficulty following verbal instructions. They may also have trouble remembering sequences of instructions, so it may be necessary to give them the instructions repeatedly for them to fully understand them.
- Disadvantages of having conversations: difficulties participating in conversations with other people and following the thread of the conversation or understanding figurative language. For this reason, sometimes people with expressive language disorder avoid starting conversations, speaking in public or getting involved in social situations, to avoid misunderstandings and feelings of frustration that can affect their .
- Problems describing events: SLI can also affect the ability to tell stories or describe events. It becomes more difficult to organize thoughts and provide important details.
Treatment of expressive language disorder
How to help a child with expressive language disorder? This language disorder can be treated effectively if it is detected at an early stage. The main methodologies used to stimulate expressive language are:
- Talk therapy: It is the treatment most commonly used today to treat expressive SLI. Therapy can be carried out individually or in a group. Exercises are included to improve pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary and the ability to follow verbal instructions.
- occupational therapy: may be beneficial in treating SLI in children and adults. Occupational therapy focuses on helping individuals develop practical and functional skills to perform daily activities, including language and communication. Breathing, vocalization and pronunciation techniques are taught, as well as the development of social and emotional skills that allow the patient to interact and communicate effectively in different situations.
- Special education: guarantees the inclusion of children with expressive language disorder and helps them in their educational process. Through prior training, teachers can use specific strategies to help them better understand the material and communicate effectively. In some schools, adapted educational materials and specific strategies are used to improve communication.
- Assisted technology: This tool can be very useful in treating expressive SLI. This type of technology allows both children and adults to communicate more effectively. Currently, there are applications such as voice recognition technology, visual aids and alternative communication devices that work very well as a complement to therapy.
In short, expressive language disorder is not a condition related to people’s intellectual capacity, but rather it affects verbal expression abilities and the development of linguistic skills. With proper treatment, people with SLI can learn to communicate effectively and improve their quality of life.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- Aguado, G., Coloma, C., Martínez, A., Mendoza, E., Montes, A., Navarro, R., and Serra, M. (2015). Consensus document prepared by the SLI expert committee on the diagnosis of the disorder. Journal of Speech Therapy, Phoniatrics and Audiology, 35(4), 147-149. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rlfa.2015.06.004
- Fresneda, M., and Mendoza, E. (2005b). Specific language disorder: concept, classifications and identification criteria. Journal of Neurology. Available at: https://doi.org/10.33588/rn.41s01.2005317
- Mendoza, E. (2012). Current research in Specific Language Impairment. Journal of Speech Therapy, Phoniatrics and Audiology, 32(2), 75-86. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rlfa.2012.03.001