Disorders of Communication

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Language disorders are disorders of communication and impact the use and understanding of language. There are three main types of language disorders: expressive language disorder, receptive language disorder, and mixed receptive-expressive language disorder. Schedule your free consultation with us and see below for additional details on how your child could benefit from speech-language therapy.
 
Expressive language disorders refer to language output rather than understanding. Children with expressive language disorders often have difficulty getting their message across to others in a way that is easily understandable to others. A child with an expressive language disorder may have difficulty with the following: 

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• Using age-appropriate gestures, words, phrases, or sentences

• Asking questions

• Naming objects or actions

• Learning nursery rhymes or songs

• Using pronouns appropriately (e.g., “him went to the store”)

• Using content words (instead, they use non-specific terms like “stuff,” “things,” “this,” or “that”)

• Speaking in a sequential, organized manner or storytelling

 
Receptive language disorders refer to understanding of language. Children with receptive language disorders have difficulty deriving the meaning or content of language. A child with a receptive language disorder may have difficulty with the following: 

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• Following directions

• Answering wh- questions

• Simple inferencing or linking ideas together

• Understanding the meaning of gestures 

• Pointing to objects and pictures

• Turn taking with others in conversation

 
Mixed receptive-expressive language disorders encompass any combination of difficulties with the above skills. Some children with language disorders may only have difficulty in a few of the above areas, while others may require support in many of the above areas. 
 
Signs of a language disorder are often present early on and can persist throughout development. The inability to communicate can lead to serious frustration from the child who is being misunderstood and the listeners who cannot understand the child. That is why early intervention is key! The presence of a language disorder is not linked to how smart a child is but is representative of a skillset in which a little extra support is needed. We meet the child where they are and individualize each session to focus on increasing the impaired language concepts through a variety of techniques. These techniques will be taught to parents to practice with the child at home, so they can use and generalize these skills at home! 

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​Interested in our one-on-one parent training services or group courses for children with language delays? Continue reading below or click here to find out more!

It Takes Two to Talk® – The Hanen Program® for Parents of Children with Language Delays

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With a certification in the It Takes Two to Talk® – Hanen Centre® program, we have specialized knowledge in how to empower parents to become their child’s best teacher. Although language development techniques are taught to parents during the last 10-15 minutes of individual, one-on-one treatment sessions, the majority of the session is typically focused on the therapist working with the child alone. Although parent education is delivered during these sessions, parents do not have the opportunity to learn and practice these language development strategies to be able to best support their children’s language development in their daily lives. 

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The It Takes Two to Talk Program is designed specifically for parents of young children (birth to 5 years of age) who have been identified as having a language delay. This course is either offered in a small, personalized group setting or in individual treatment sessions including you, your child, and your therapist. In this program, parents learn practical strategies to help their children learn language naturally throughout their day together. You can also participate in this program via online telepractice.

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If you are interested in participating in an upcoming program, please contact us by phone at 512-661-7971 or email at lexi@cascadaresilienttherapy.com to get on the list for enrollment in our next course, as there are a limited number of spots available. We are so excited to help you and your child grow throughout this program! Please see below for additional information about the program.

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The It Takes Two to Talk Program teaches you, step-by-step, how to become your child’s most important language teacher. The program shows you how to: 

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• Recognize your child’s stage and style of communication so that you know which steps to take next

• Identify what motivates your child to interact with you so you’ll know how to get conversations started

• Adjust everyday routines to help your child take turns and keep interactions going

• Follow your child’s lead to build his confidence and encourage him to communicate

• Add language to interactions with your child to help him understand language and then use it when he is ready

• Tweak the way you play and read books with your child to help him learn language

• Change the way you speak to your child so that he’ll understand and learn new words

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Program Components

 

• 6-8 training sessions for parents in small, personalized groups

• A Hanen Certified speech-language pathologist leading the program

• A pre-program consultation for you and your child with the speech-language pathologist

• Three individual visits for you and your child with the speech-language pathologist in which you are videotaped while practicing strategies to help your child achieve specific communication goals. You and the speech-language pathologist then watch the videotaped interaction to “see” what’s helping your child and what you can modify to help even more.

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Benefits of Taking the It Takes Two to Talk® Program

Practical strategies you can use in everyday situations

The It Takes Two to Talk Program shows you how to use your natural, day-to-day life with your child to help him develop language skills. You’ll discover simple things you can do during everyday activities like meal time, story time and bath time to create enjoyable learning opportunities for your child.

It Takes Two to Talk translates the research on early language intervention into concrete strategies that are easy for parents to understand and to put into practice. The program offers you many opportunities to practice and discuss each strategy you learn so that you’ll be comfortable and confident using them at home.

Here’s an example of an It Takes Two to Talk strategy that can be used during any activity to encourage your child to start conversations:

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“OWL to Let Your Child Lead” 
Observe
Wait
Listen

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Research has shown that children learn language best when they are allowed to lead a conversation and communicate about what interests them. The OWL strategy will help you follow your child’s lead so that he’ll be more likely to stay in the interaction with you and get the practice and feedback he needs to build his communication skills.

 

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An evidence-based and reputable program that’s worth your time

It Takes Two to Talk was developed by expert speech-language pathologists and is grounded in extensive research. This evidence-based program has been proven in clinical practice to have positive effects on the communication development of young children.

It Takes Two to Talk requires a significant time commitment from parents in order to ensure the best possible learning experience. Once you’ve completed the program, however, the strategies you’ve learned will become such a natural part of the way you interact with your child that you won’t even notice you’re using them. The commitment you put in now will pay off during every interaction you have with your child.

For a detailed research summary and empirical evidence, please click here.
 

The chance to connect with other parents

One of the greatest benefits of the It Takes Two to Talk Program is the opportunity it provides to connect with other parents in similar situations. You’ll have the chance to meet people who really understand what you’re feeling and gain valuable insight by listening to their own experiences using It Takes Two to Talk strategies with their child.

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What parents say about the It Takes Two to Talk® Program...

The It Takes Two to Talk Program has empowered hundreds of parents around the world to play a key role in helping their child develop language skills. One parent told us:

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“I have just completed It Takes Two to Talk. What a difference this has made

to the quality of life for my little girl. She is more confident and will initiate a

conversation and join in activities. Several weeks ago she would not have done so.” 

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- Patricia, mother of four-year-old Kelly

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This information was shared with permission from The Hanen Centre®.

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Helping You Help Children Communicate

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