Expressive language disorder | |
---|---|
Specialty | Pediatrics Speech-Language Pathology |
Symptoms | Struggle to describe or explain something |
Usual onset | Early Childhood |
Risk factors |
|
Treatment | Speech and Language Therapy |
Expressive language disorder is one of the "specific developmental disorders of speech and language" recognized by the tenth edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). As of the eleventh edition (ICD-11, current 1 January 2022), it is considered to be covered by the various categories of developmental language disorder. Transition to the ICD-11 will take place at a different time in different countries.
The condition is a communication disorder in which there are difficulties with verbal and written expression.[1] It is a specific language impairment characterized by an ability to use expressive spoken language that is markedly below the appropriate level for the mental age, but with a language comprehension that is within normal limits.[2] There can be problems with vocabulary, producing complex sentences, and remembering words,[3] and there may or may not be abnormalities in articulation.[2]
Careful diagnosis is also important because "atypical language development can be a secondary characteristic of other physical and developmental problems that may first manifest as language problems".[4]