Language

Language impairment includes receptive and/or expressive delays or disorders in the following areas: 

• Semantics: The content of words (or signs) in the language code, the meaning of language including vocabulary development, comprehension and use of  words, word retrieval, use   of multiple meaning words, idioms, proverbs, metaphors, etc.

• Syntax: The rules that dictate the acceptable sequence, combination and function of words in a sentence; the form, structure, and order of the language codes.

• Morphology: The use of grammatical structures to form words and change the meanings of words; the rules for communicating tense, plurality, possession, etc.

• Pragmatics: The functional use of rules which govern effective interpersonal communications; the rules for conversation and conveying intentions in communication.

• Auditory Processing: The ability to attend, discriminate, recognize or comprehend auditory information.  A deficit in auditory processing abilities is not attributable to a loss of hearing  acuity.

(Definitions adapted from Developmental Language Instruction Manual, January, 1989)

• Social appropriateness of interactions

• Listening skills

• The ability to use nonverbal communication appropriately

• Problem solving skills

• The ability to make inferences

• Reading comprehension

• The ability to use critical thinking

• Study skills

• Social relationships

• Make requests

• Describe events 

• Respond to greetings