Specific language disorder (SLD) is a pathology that affects language. It is a series of difficulties that occur in the acquisition, expression and comprehension of language. This disorder is not related to other disorders associated with cognitive, neurological or socio-familial problems or with other hearing impairment problems.
The specific language disorder is more severe than a simple language delay, because it is not a slower evolution in the acquisition of the elements that make up language.
When does specific language disorder manifest itself?
There are a number of symptoms that indicate that a person has a specific language disorder. The most worrisome signs occur from 12 to 18 months of age:
- Absence of actions by the child such as pointing or performing social gestures such as greetings
- Lack of response by the child to his or her name or after repeating it many times
- Inability to follow simple commands
When these three situations occur, parents may suspect that their child has a hearing problem. However, after the age of 2 years, the symptoms still persist and worsen, because the child is unable to follow verbal commands that are related to objects or actions. On the other hand, his language only includes a number of words of less than 50 words. In addition, the child cannot combine two words.
The child with SLI does not use words to communicate. In fact, when he wants to communicate, he does it through gestures and other non-verbal communication techniques. In any case, this disorder is also known as an invisible disorder, because the child intends to communicate, but is unable to do so.
It is estimated that 7% of children have SLD.
Specific language disorder is a developmental disorder that manifests itself from birth and is not related to any injury or disease. It is a little known disorder, affecting approximately 7% of the child population.
In the vast majority of cases, parents are fully aware that the child does not speak like the rest of his age. For this reason, they consult pediatricians and specialists who in many cases play down the symptoms of the disorder. This is due to the lack of training in primary care pediatric services.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of SLI occur when the child is almost 2 and a half years old and are as follows:
- Speech is slurred and unintelligible in 70%.
- Inability to follow simple instructions
- Continuous tantrums in social situations due to not being able to communicate correctly.
- Difficulties in understanding language
- Speech and articulation difficulties
- Impairment in other areas involved in language.
Can SLI be present in adulthood?
SLI is a developmental disorder, so early attention is important to improve this permanent disorder. The symptoms have sequelae in adolescence, affecting different areas, such as comprehension, expression and short-term memory.
The most appropriate treatment
When the aforementioned symptoms are detected, it is essential that parents take the child to a medical specialist, i.e. a neurologist, psychologist and speech therapist who are experts in this disorder. Once there are suspicions of SLD, it is necessary that the specialists perform a series of appropriate neuropsychological and language tests.
The consequences of specific language disorder
SLD is not only a language disorder, but also affects other areas such as memory, planning, attention and impulsivity control. For this reason, if it is not specifically treated, it can result in social withdrawal, isolation, school failure, underachievement, anxiety and depression.