Child Language

Children with expressive and receptive language delays and disorders receive comprehensive evaluation and treatment using the latest evidence-based practices from highly qualified speech-language pathologists at Illinois State University.

Language Delays

Language Delays in children can affect their ability to understand what is being communicated (receptive language) and/or express their wants and needs (expressive language). Language delays can arise from several risk factors such as prematurity, gender, environmental factors, and familial influences.

Language Disorders

Language Disorders in children occur when a child has persistent difficulty in their ability to understand and/or produce language. For children with suspected or diagnosed language disorders, these difficulties can emerge at preschool and persist through school age and adolescence. Examples of these language issues include following directions, understanding and answering questions, learning new words, or speaking in complete sentences. Language disorders may be due to developmental disorders such as Down syndrome or autism, or from a brain injury, hearing loss, prematurity, or unknown origins.

Language-Based Learning Disabilities

Children who demonstrate language-based learning disabilities demonstrate difficulty with reading, writing, and/or spelling. Learning disabilities are lifelong and are thought to be due to differences in the brain structure present at birth. Children must learn strategies to encourage strengths in learning and develop ways to compensate for areas of difficulty.

Assessment and Treatment

Children who demonstrate difficulty with expressive and/or receptive language skills can receive comprehensive assessment and treatment by licensed speech-language pathologists at the Eckelmann-Taylor Speech and Hearing Clinic. The diagnostic process serves to collect information through a detailed case history, observation, and direct testing to determine the child’s expressive and receptive language strengths and weaknesses. Following the comprehensive evaluation, a treatment plan will be developed including both long- and short-term treatment goals to improve the child’s comprehension of spoken and written language, improve their ability to verbally express their thoughts, and/or help the child use alternative modes of communication.