Language Delay
Language delay is defined as a failure to develop language abilities to the usual or expected developmental timetable. It is distinct from speech delay, where the speech mechanism itself is the focus of the delay rather than the understanding or concept of language. Language delay refers specifically to a delay in the development of the underlying knowledge, understanding and use of language rather than its physical implementation.
Because language and speech are two separate developmental processes, they may be individually delayed. For example, a child who has speech delay may actually be able to understand language and its context perfectly, but be unable to translate that understanding into motor commands to form speech. Conversely, a child with a language delay often has not yet had the opportunity to produce speech sounds and may also have a speech delay as well. However, a language delay can also be a consequence of underlying psychological conditions or even environmental factors such as physical and psychological trauma. VBC will help you to determine the cause of language and speech delay and to implement steps to close the gap between our learners and their typically developing peers.
Receptive and Expressive
Language delay is commonly divided into two categories: receptive delay and expressive delay. Receptive language refers to the process of understanding what is being said to the learner. Expressive language refers to the use of words and sentences to communicate what the learner thinks, wants and needs. It is an inability to use expressive language that often develops into further conditions such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, aggression and inappropriate behavioural responses. It is considered to be a risk factor in the developmental delay including social, emotional and cognitive delay. Although the actual level of effect language delay has on each individual learner varies significantly, verbal behavioural modification can pinpoint these challenges and intervention can reduce the impact language delay has on the learner’s overall development.
How Verbal Behavioural therapy can help language delay
It is important to identify speech and language problems as early as possible so that the appropriate therapy can be initiated whilst it is still relatively easy to help children ‘unlearn’ inappropriate behavioural patterns. These patterns can include aggression or a reluctance to communicate or respond to stimulation. Research has shown that children understand a great deal more about language and communication before they even speak their first word, with normal development enabling a child to pick up on stimuli such as verbal and visual communication within their social structure. There is no ‘one size fits all’ policy with verbal behavioural therapy. At VBC, we go through an extensive process of assessment both of the learner and of their immediate social structure including family and (where appropriate) schools to better understand the key factors involved in the underlying root cause of language delay. This applied behavioural analysis helps us and you to structure a therapy programme that will reinforce positive values and enable the learner to better understand the importance of language and verbal communication. Through this method of association and language development, their capabilities to communicate effectively can be raised to a level whereby their developmental process is indistinguishable from that of learners with normal capabilities. At VBC, we understand this process intimately and how each learner’s needs will need to be met with the help and co-operation of their families. We act as a bridge between you and your child to allow communication to become a two-way event.
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