What is Oral/Written Language Disorder?
Oral and written language disorder affects a person’s ability to communicate verbally and process written language. This condition is often linked to semantic or syntactic processing difficulties, and semantic and syntactic processing is essential for natural language processing.
Semantic processing helps individuals understand the meaning of language, and it’s critical for all language skills. This involves recognising complex words, phrases, and sentences and understanding their context.
Syntactic processing is linked to language structure. This involves understanding grammatical rules and how they apply to form phrases or sentences.
Oral and written expression difficulties arise when individuals experience semantic and syntactic processing challenges. Additionally, oral and written language disorders affect word pronunciation, word decoding, spelling, and comprehension.
Although living with a language disorder can be challenging, individuals with such conditions tend to be more creative, resilient, and empathetic. What’s more, individuals with oral and written language disorders tend to develop strong problem-solving skills due to the present communication challenges.
This condition is often confused with other similar learning disabilities or language difficulties. However, making a distinction between them is crucial for effective treatment.
Symptoms of Oral/Written Language Disorder
A variety of symptoms can be linked to this learning disability. However, it’s essential to know that some characteristics might be linked to another specific learning disability or language difficulties. Hence, this condition is often misdiagnosed as Dyslexia, ADHD, or other learning disabilities. However, misdiagnoses can result in unsuitable treatment, leading to prolonged improvement of symptoms. That’s why proper diagnosis is crucial for the overall well-being of individuals with the condition.
The main symptoms linked to oral and written language disorder include:
Challenges with recognising words
Challenges with understanding spoken language
Challenges with using spoken language
Challenges with phonological awareness (phonological or sound structure of words)
Challenges with social-specific communication (social cues, thought organisation, and finding the right word use)
Challenges with written language (grammar, punctuation, spelling, and structure)
Reading challenges
Visible distress or anxiety in individuals towards oral and written forms
It’s important to note that individuals with oral and written language disorders might not necessarily experience all the symptoms mentioned above. Additionally, an expert must make an official evaluation and diagnosis.
At Leaf Complex Care, we believe that a humanised approach and tailored support plan can minimise the worry individuals with these conditions tend to experience and gain more confidence and self-esteem.
Symptoms of Specific Reading Comprehension Deficit
Specific reading comprehension deficit (S-RCD) is linked to challenges with understanding written language. This written language disorder is also often confused with dyslexia; however, there’s a clear distinction between the two.
While dyslexia affects the individual’s ability to decode words, specific reading comprehension deficits affect an individual’s ability to understand words. This means that with S-RCD, individuals might not have reading difficulties related to reading words and whole sentences aloud but still have challenges understanding their meaning.
Some general symptoms include:
Challenges with word comprehension
Challenges with written expression
Challenges with school assignments related to reading, writing, or similar activities related to language arts
In some cases, challenges with spoken language
It’s important to mention that individuals with specific reading comprehension deficits tend to have strong listening skills, increased focus on detail, and enhanced creativity.
Oral/Written Language Disorder And Specific Reading Comprehension Deficit Causes
As of 2023, medical experts still haven’t fully understood the cause of oral/written language disorders and specific reading comprehension deficits. Although this has made treating individuals more complex, plenty of special programs and strategies can help with the symptoms.
However, there are a few hypotheses on the causes of these learning disabilities, including:
Genetic factors – some research points to the genetic component of language disorders. Namely, oral language challenges, writing disorders, reading disabilities, and similar challenges often run in families.
Developmental factors – language developmental challenges often relate to syntactic and semantic processing.
Research on these learning disabilities is ongoing, and we cannot pinpoint one specific cause.
Oral/Written Language Disorder And Specific Reading Comprehension Deficit Diagnosis
Diagnosing oral and written language disorders and specific reading comprehension deficits should be done by qualified professionals, neuropsychologists, or speech-language pathologists.
The process usually involves tests that help evaluate language skills, writing skills, and the individual’s writing process, as well as evaluating challenges linked to oral and written forms.
Sings of learning difficulties are often recognised in children of ages around seven or eight years. This is usually when school curriculums start focusing more on word comprehension.
Why Diagnosis is Critical
Diagnosing any learning disability, difficulty, or disorder is crucial not just for academic, professional, or social growth but for the emotional well-being of individuals.
When individuals experience challenges with reading, writing, or oral expression, it can significantly affect their emotional state, self-esteem, and the overall quality of their lives, no matter their age group.
Diagnosing these conditions during early childhood can lead to early treatment. This can help individuals develop or improve their language acquisition.
Additionally, early and accurate diagnosis can help professionals develop a tailored treatment plan. No individual is the same, and everyone deserves a strategy tailored to their needs and requirements. This can immensely benefit individuals with oral/written language disorders or specific reading comprehension deficits.
Oral/Written Language Disorder And Specific Reading Comprehension Deficit Treatment
Treatments for oral and written language disorders and specific reading comprehension deficit is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Each individual living the condition has their own experience, challenges, and strengths.
So, a tailored treatment plan is crucial.
Treatment of oral and written language disorders might include language therapy that can help develop specific language skills, such as oral expression, spelling, grammar, and word comprehension. Furthermore, modern technology has provided speech-generating devices and text-to-speech software that can also help as part of the treatment.
Treatment for specific reading comprehension deficits involves working on skills related to phonological awareness, word recognition, comprehension of specific words, and working on the child’s reading.
Many professionals involve fun activities or games during the treatment, which can increase the motivation to overcome some of the challenges.
Oral/Written Language Disorder and Dyslexia
Oral and written language disorder is most often confused or misdiagnosed with dyslexia. This is mainly because they share some similar symptoms and characteristics. However, it’s important to understand their differences, and it’s important to provide individuals with different treatment plans.
Similarities
Both oral and written language disorder and dyslexia can impact how effectively individuals communicate, affect their writing ability and cause reading difficulties. These effects are directly linked to the academic and professional success of individuals.
Differences
The main difference between both conditions is that individuals with oral/written language disorder have difficulties understanding the language, while with dyslexia, they have trouble decoding it. This significant difference results in different treatment plans for individuals with either learning difficulties.
How Leaf Complex Care Can Help
At Leaf Complex Care, we believe in offering personalised support to help individuals with learning disabilities, difficulties, or disorders thrive.
Our dedicated clinicians work closely with the individuals, providing daily assistance and support.
Additionally, our clinicians provide support with schoolwork or similar academic tasks, accompany students during class, and support during school hours. What’s most important to us is to identify each individual’s strengths and leverage them to help build their confidence and self-esteem.
At Leaf Complex Care, we prioritise creating a nurturing, supportive, and humane environment that promotes social, emotional, and academic growth.
For more information on our services, contact us now.
