Developmental expressive language disorder is a disorder in which a child has lower-than-normal proficiency for his or her age in vocabulary, the production of complex sentences, and recall of words.
Alternative Names
Language disorder - expressive
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Three to ten percent of all school age children have expressive language disorder. The cause of this disorder is unknown, and may vary in different cases. Cerebral damage and malnutrition may cause some cases -- perhaps in combination with genetic factors.
Signs and tests
Standardized expressive language and non-verbal intellectual tests should be conducted, if an expressive language disorder is suspected. Testing for other learning disabilities should also be done.
Treatment
Language therapy is the best approach to this type of disorder. The goal of this therapy is to increase the number of phrases a child can use. This is done by using "block building techniques" and speech therapy.
Expectations (prognosis)
The degree of recovery depends on the severity of the disorder, but there can be close to full recovery given good prognostic indicators (i.e., reversible factors like vitamin deficiencies, etc.).
Calling your health care provider
Parents who are concerned about their child's language ability should have the child tested.
Prevention
Good nutrition during pregnancy and early childhood and prenatal care may help, but other methods of prevention are unknown.