Indicators of Disordered SLCN
Indicators of Disorder
(The following list indicates difficulties)
Understanding of Language
Unable to understand familiar instructions/situational language
Poor understanding of action words (verbs)
Expressive Language
Jargon: use of nonsense/made-up words extending past the babbling stage
Echolalia: immediate or delayed repetition of language that is heard e.g. repeating an instruction or question rather than responding to it
Speech
Backing: when a child substitutes the ‘front’ sounds t/d for ‘back’ sounds k/g e.g. tea > ‘kea’ bed > ‘beg’. This is a disorder rather than a delay. It is sometimes caused by continued dummy use or thumb sucking
Vowel distortion e.g. egg > ‘ag’
Initial sound deletion e.g. cup > ‘up’
Groping for sounds or in coordination of mouth/tongue/lips
No babbling/silent baby
Stammering
Repetition of sounds e.g. b’b’b’but
Prolongation of sounds e.g. bu………t
Blocking e.g. no sound at all, often wide open mouth
Struggle e.g. screwing up face, tension
Child aware e.g. I can’t speak properly
Social
limited/no interest in others (not just shy) i.e. if it extends to parents/immediate family
