Risks factors of Developmental Language Disorder
- Jun 30, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 13, 2020
Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is generally trouble understanding others, or sharing thoughts, ideas and feelings. After considering the points in our previous blogs , today we will proceede with the risk factors of DLD.
To figure out if the child as DLD, certain things have to be done---consider your child's medical history, for example, does my child has hearing issues? As symptoms can be affected by a combination of factors, it is crucial to pur them into consideration.
Having all things considered, you can then proceed to the risk factors below...
1. Gender
Boys have double the risk of long term developmental language disorder than girls.
Perhaps the idea of gender is born different is correct, at least in this instance. Scientifically, due to genetic differences, boys are found more susceptible to difficulties not only in language abilities but in other functional areas. Boys are also found 3 times more likely to get referred for special services than girls. Yet, unfortunately, this factor is not under our control.
2. Family History
With a family history of language difficulties, this increases the risk of getting long term DLD by 3 folds.
Again, biology plays a big role in childhood disorders like DLD, as it cultivates our behaviours, personality and thinking. Even our potential to grow and develop. Since DLD exist across generations, this poses a risk to later generations in acquiring DLD.
3. Language comprehension
Children at any age with an incompetent language comprehension doubles their risk of long term DLD.
An incompetent ability in language makes you smell a rat. But. of course, we must consider the test items are within your child's age . You cannot expect a 3 year old child understand the word 'euphoria' perfectly, right?
4. Memory Difficulties
Memory difficulties increase a child's risk of long term DLD.
Despite 25% of the group, children with DLD generally exhibit difficulties in recalling sounds in words in the short term. As speech pathologists, we test the child's ability to repeat nonwords after listening to them in light of assessing the presence of DLD among children. Though it is noted that, having memory difficulties does not mean one has DLD, more assessments and procedures are needed by speech pathologists and parents beforehand.
5. Socioeconomic factor
A poor socioeconomic environment increases the risk of long term DLD.
This can be seen in disadvantages family especially: single parenthood, large family size, fewer opportunities in life, parental factors (parental input and education). Thus, a well socioeconomic environment provides children with quality language input and opportunities. Such as getting to read stories with family members, having access to education, parents having a good enough educational background to communicate with children at home. Thus it comes as no surprise that children from the disadvantaged, non-English native speakers tend to underachieve in schools. (Harry & Klingner, 2014)
Finally, never forget! Acquiring any of these risk factors does not mean your child will get DLD. They increase the risk, but they are not definite factors in causing DLD. Accumulation of these risk factors would mean your child has an even higher risk of long term DLD.
There are in fact, several more risk factors, the above factors are most evidenced. If you would like to know more. the following are some great websites to start with!
Hope you find them useful and please leave a comment if you have anymore questions.
Have a great day and don't forget to smile!
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