What is a language disorder?  

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A language disorder can be defined as a significant delay in the use and understanding of spoken and written language.  A language disorder will manifest itself differently in each person and ranges from mild to profound. The American Speech Language and Hearing Association describes a language disorder as a difficulty in any of the following areas: form, content, and use.  

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The form of language includes phonology, morphology, and syntax. Phonology involves the sounds of language and how these sounds can be put together to form words.  Morphology requires the understanding of the rules of word endings and syntax is an understanding of the rules of language that determine how words go together to express thoughts and ideas. 

The content of language refers to language meaning or understanding of words and vocabulary.  Social pragmatics governs how we use language to communicate with others.

 

See links below for more information about how language develops, signs and symptoms of language disorders, the impact of a language disorder on education and learning, and more about social skills and social cognition.   

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