A lasting language disorder, dysphasia presents with impairments that vary in nature and intensity: the sheer range of its manifestations makes them particularly difficult to list. Often revealed at school age, it can hide behind what looks like a simple language delay. With a language delay, the child gradually corrects themselves, whereas a child with dysphasia will need to be followed by a professional to develop compensation strategies and overcome their difficulties. So how can you tell the difference?
No language disorder before the last year of preschool
Language development is directly linked to family interaction. On average, a child’s first words are spoken around one year of age. By 15 months, they understand sentences. Around 18 months, they add intonation to what they say (questions, exclamations). By around age 2, they understand roughly 300 words, but can only say about fifty.
By age three, they have a good understanding of their native language, even though pronunciation remains difficult due to their still-immature vocal apparatus.
These milestones are only rough benchmarks: every child learns at their own pace. If a child doesn’t reach these stages at the stated age, that doesn’t necessarily mean they have a language delay. In fact, before the last year of preschool, we don’t speak of a language disorder at all, precisely to allow each child their own space to develop.
When do we speak of a language delay?
A language delay is a functional developmental disorder, with milestones reached later than average. This can resolve on its own or with the support of a speech therapist. Through trial and error, the child will learn to correct themselves, gradually turning their “shue” into “shoe.”
After age 3, it’s recommended to investigate a possible intellectual or hearing impairment, or the presence of other disorders, such as stuttering, which often stems from difficulty finding a word or from a particular tension in the child, or dysphasia. At this stage, it’s important to determine whether the child has a transitory, minor communication issue, or one that will prove significant and persistent.
What are the symptoms of dysphasia?
Traditionally, dysphasia isn’t diagnosed before the age of 6 to 7, in order to distinguish its symptoms from those of a child who simply speaks late or unclearly. However, a number of signs may raise suspicion:
- From age 3, the child has difficulty understanding words, frequently makes phonetic errors, shows a delay in gestural communication, etc., but above all, makes no progress despite speech therapy.
- After age 5 to 6, dysphasia shows up through difficulties with storytelling, repeating pseudo-words, and morphology in speech production, etc.
Whatever the situation, don’t hesitate to talk with your child’s teacher to get their perspective and, if needed, consult your doctor to start speech therapy support, whether to close the gap on a language delay or to address dysphasic difficulties.
