Topic: Conditions

Social language develops from birth. We observe and respond to our environment, learning the social rules of our culture over time. Social language is an intuitive process and we typically take it for granted. But for children with a social language disorder, it is confusing and overwhelming.

Children with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), also known as Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD), can leave their teachers, parents, and even therapists scratching their heads wondering what is wrong? Where is the breakdown? These children will often slip through the system without getting the help they need because they are seen as inattentive or “not trying.”

Languages are made up of complex sequences of sounds coming together to form words. When a child is learning their language, they imitate the sounds they hear. In the beginning, this sounds like cooing and babbling; the easiest speech sounds are practiced repeatedly: first vowels, then easy consonant sounds connected to vowels (“dadada”). As children develop, their babbling becomes more advanced adding in more sounds and turning into something that sounds like jabber. Eventually, this baby talk turns into early words, and then more intelligible speech.

Sometimes, children have difficulty with the transition to intelligible speech and they need the help of a speech therapist to guide the way to clear communication.

It can be alarming to parents when their child begins to stutter. Many children stutter when they are acquiring language. With some key techniques, we can support and help our children through this disfluent period and reduce the risk of prolonged speech problems.