For Parents

Frequently Asked Questions

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  What are language disorders?

  Language disorders affect a lot of different children, including children with Down syndrome, ADHD, childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), and autism. Children with developmental language disorder (DLD) have language struggles regardless of other disorders.

  When we say children who struggle with language, we mean they may have difficulty:
  

  • using or understanding long sentences
  • understanding directions
  • learning new words
  • telling stories
  • using the right words, or all the words in a sentence
  • asking or answering questions
  • talking with other kids their same age
  • telling about what they did that day (for example, at school)

  These symptoms vary depending on the child's age.

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  What might a language disorder look like at different ages?

  Here are some signs and symptoms of language disorders in children. Note that these may vary and overlap in age groups.

  Preschool Children (3-5):

  • Short sentences
  • Difficulty following directions
  • Difficulty understanding what is being said
  • Difficulty asking questions
  • Difficulty finding the right word

  Elementary School (6-11):

  • Difficulty following multistep directions
  • Smaller vocabulary
  • Difficulty with grammar in writing and speaking
  • Difficulty telling organized stories
  • Simple sentences
  • Difficulty with reading, writing, spelling, or math

  Older Children (11-15):

  • Writing errors
  • Simple sentences
  • Smaller vocabulary
  • Difficulty with metaphors and figurative language
  • May be withdrawn from peers

  Concerned about your child's language?

  Talk to the Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) at your child's school, or locate a local SLP by clicking the button below.

  Find My Local Speech Language Pathologist (SLP)
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  What can I do to help improve my child's language skills at home?

  Here are a few ideas:

  • Read books with your child often! And instead of just reading the words, point to pictures and talk about what is happening.
  • When speaking to a child with a language disorder:
    
    • Use simple language
    • Use repetition as needed
    • Give directions in order and provide visuals
      (ex. pointing to objects, showing pictures of steps, etc.)
    • Pause longer after speaking
    • Speak slightly slower
    • Encourage questions
  • When listening to a child with a language disorder:
    
    • Comment or expand on what they said
      (ex. Child: "Car go," Parent: "The car is going fast!")
    • Prompt their storytelling
      (ex. Child: "They run away," Parent: "What are they running from?")
    • Reflect and clarify to ensure you understand what they were saying
      (ex. "Did you mean...?")
    • Provide an alternative way to communicate
      (ex. Nodding, pointing, using pictures, etc.)
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  How can my child and I get involved in research through BYU?

  Scan the QR code or click the button below to join our research registry!

  By registering, you will receive an email each time we announce a new study. It will tell you about what we are trying to learn. If you decide you want to participate, you can contact us about the specific study you are interested in!

  Your information will be kept private and will be used only to email information about upcoming research projects. It will never be shared with anyone outside our lab.

  

  Register Here