What Is a Language Processing Disorder and How Is It Treated?

RISE Services Inc. works with parents in Arizona, Utah, and Oregon to help children living with disabilities experience the best possible life. This can at times become more complex if the child has a Language Processing Disorder, or LPD.

A Language Processing Disorder makes it very difficult to understand and communicate effectively with other people. It can affect the life of your child in a variety of ways, and inhibit other areas of emotional, personal and educational development. The following information may help you determine if your child may have an LPD, and some positive actions you can take to bring your child to the highest level of development:

What Is a Language Processing Disorder?

This neurological condition is best described as having difficulty understanding what is heard, or clearly expressing thoughts to others. Although there may be some hearing loss involved, the condition is usually caused because the brain cannot process or interpret auditory information properly.

How Can You Tell if Your Child Has a Language Processing Disorder?

It may take a team of experts to accurately diagnose an LPD condition, but children with this disorder usually have difficulty with any activities that involve language, such as speaking, reading, spelling, and writing. Symptoms you can look for that may indicate a need to follow up with experts include:

• Delayed vocabulary development.
• Difficulty following simple or multi-step directions.
• No concentration.
• Easily distracted in noisy environments.
• Cannot follow oral directions.
• Inability to master basic language skills.
• Uninterested in participating in conversations with adults or other children.
• Lack of ability to learn new words or put them together in a sentence format.

What Treatment Options Are Available for a Child With a Language Processing Disorder?

Parents should never have to deal with a Language Processing Disorder on their own. There are many caring professionals who are skilled in helping your child reach his or her maximum capabilities. Our individualized treatment programs are always developed to meet each child’s identified needs, but some forms of treatment may include:

• Speech therapy and early intervention services to build listening and communication skills.
• Special development instruction to help your child engage in the relationships, routines, and events of everyday life.
• One-on-one instruction to build comprehension capabilities.
• Use of visual models and learning tools.
• Parental training in providing directions and establishing routines.
• Help in identifying and correcting communication errors.
• Specialized school sessions, academic interventions, and individualized learning plans.

Language Processing Disorders are surprisingly more common than you may think, but there is a lot of hope for a happy and successful life if you are able to diagnose the symptoms when your child is young, and work with others to give your child the skills necessary to live successfully with this condition.If you think that your child has a Language Processing Disorder and may be in need of assistive services, contact RISE to learn about the early intervention services and a wide variety of developmental services we offer for people with disabilities.