The Language Connection |
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According to the ASHA a communication disorder is an impairment in the ability to receive, send, process, and comprehend concepts or verbal, nonverbal and graphic symbol systems. It may be evident in the process of hearing, language, and/or speech. It may range in severity from mild to profound. It may be developmental or acquired. Individuals may demonstrate one or any combination of communication disorders. It may result in a primary disability or it may be secondary to other disabilities.
What is communication?
Many things can affect a child's performance in school. To know how to help a child succeed, it is critical to understand the child's strengths and weaknesses, so the help given will lead to success.
Understanding Language-Based Learning Disabilities
Why Speech and Language Matter More Than You Think
When a child begins to struggle in school, it’s essential to identify why. Parents, teachers, and specialists all play a role in uncovering the underlying cause—but this process can feel overwhelming, especially when children are referred to multiple professionals for help.
One area that’s too often overlooked is speech and language development.
You might hear things like,
🗣️ “He talks just fine.”
🗣️ “She’s always talking—language isn’t the problem.”
But here’s the truth: language development is more than just talking. It includes a wide range of skills that support reading, writing, memory, and learning. These are the very skills that allow children to become independent, confident learners. When one piece of that system breaks down, a cycle of struggle and frustration often begins.
🚩 Red Flags of a Language-Based Learning Disability
If a child is showing any of these signs, a comprehensive language and literacy evaluation may be appropriate:
📚 Types of Language-Based Learning Disabilities
Below are some of the most common types of language-based learning disabilities we evaluate and treat:
✅ Next Steps
If you suspect a language-based learning difference, early evaluation can make all the difference.
to learn more about how our evaluations and therapy services can support your child’s success.
When a child begins to struggle in school, it’s essential to identify why. Parents, teachers, and specialists all play a role in uncovering the underlying cause—but this process can feel overwhelming, especially when children are referred to multiple professionals for help.
One area that’s too often overlooked is speech and language development.
You might hear things like,
🗣️ “He talks just fine.”
🗣️ “She’s always talking—language isn’t the problem.”
But here’s the truth: language development is more than just talking. It includes a wide range of skills that support reading, writing, memory, and learning. These are the very skills that allow children to become independent, confident learners. When one piece of that system breaks down, a cycle of struggle and frustration often begins.
🚩 Red Flags of a Language-Based Learning Disability
If a child is showing any of these signs, a comprehensive language and literacy evaluation may be appropriate:
- Trouble learning letter names and sounds
- Difficulty following multi-step directions
- Challenges retelling a story or explaining something in sequence
- Limited vocabulary or overuse of vague words like “thing” or “stuff”
- Frequent word-finding problems or saying “um” often
- Mispronunciation of longer or unfamiliar words
- Difficulty recalling names, dates, or sequences
- Struggles learning to read or spell
- Poor reading fluency and weak comprehension
- Avoidance of reading or writing tasks
- A history of delayed speech/language development
- A family history of dyslexia or related difficulties
📚 Types of Language-Based Learning Disabilities
Below are some of the most common types of language-based learning disabilities we evaluate and treat:
- Dyslexia – difficulty with decoding, spelling, and fluent reading
- Specific Language Impairment (SLI) – difficulty understanding and using spoken language
- Dysgraphia – difficulty with handwriting and written expression
- Auditory Processing Disorder – challenges processing verbal information
- Language-Based Learning Disability (LBLD) – broad difficulties in both spoken and written language
✅ Next Steps
If you suspect a language-based learning difference, early evaluation can make all the difference.
to learn more about how our evaluations and therapy services can support your child’s success.
What is Speech?Speech refers to the verbal expression of language and includes three key components.
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What is Language?Language is the system we use to understand and express idead. It includes both verbal and nonverbal forms of communication and is made up of several areas:
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What is a Language Based Learning Disability (LBLD)?Language-based learning disability (LBLD) refers to a spectrum of difficulties related to the understanding and use of spoken and written language. LBLD is a common cause of students' academic struggles because weak language skills impede comprehension and communication, which are the basis for most school activity. Patricia W. Newhall
Language-Based Learning Disability: What to Know (http://www.ldonline.org/article/56113/) According to ASHA.... "Language-based learning disabilities are problems with age-appropriate reading, spelling, and/or writing. This disorder is not about how smart a person is. Most people diagnosed with learning disabilities have average to superior intelligence." Here is a link to the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and their information on a language-based learning disability. http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/LBLD.htm |
Common Difficulties for students with LBLD
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Warning Signs for a Language Based Learning Disabilties
Common Academic Challenges:
- History of a speech and Language impairment (remediated or persistent)
- Poor phonological awareness skills: rhyming and segmenting and blending sounds in words
- Lack familiarity with basic print concepts even though they have had appropriate exposure
- Poor knowledge of letter-sound relationship (phonics)
- Poor organization
- Poor attention in class/excessive daydreaming
- Ongoing difficulty decoding familiar words
- Slow, labored, disfluent reading of grade appropriate text
- Poor reading comprehension
- Difficulty remembering basic math facts
- Difficulty putting their thoughts into writing
- Poor performance in one specific area or subject
- Poor performance on tests despite the fact they have studied
- Overuse nonspecific vocabulary - this, that, over there, thing, stuff
- Inappropriate or loosely related responses
- Poor topic maintenance – usually rapid and inappropriate changes
- Requests repetition of information without an obvious improvement in comprehension