Speech and language difficulties can co-exist with children who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It can create problems in understanding and using language adequately. The basic part affected here is not language, but other pre-linguistic abilities of a child. The difficulties in language are secondary to the attention difficulties.
- This disorder affects memory – short-term & long-term which invariably influences the language and learning ability of a child.
- It can affect child’s skill in relating events one after another and the ability to understand or explain concepts.
- Capability in using vocabulary and recollecting words from memory can also be affected.
- Child’s socializing skills including holding a conversation, maintaining a topic, taking turns and keeping eye contact are all affected.
- Difficulties using and/or comprehending the structural components of sentences.
- Problems with word meanings and organization. In school, children have difficulties comprehending written and spoken language, word-finding difficulties and difficulties using context to understand.
- Difficulty to identify multi-meaning in words and to segment words into speech sounds.
Language difficulties related to their impulsivity and poor organizational skills result in:
- Problems understanding classroom lecture
- Poor writing skills
- Problems understanding narratives and conversations
- Problems with generative language
How is Therapy planned?
These children perform better with Speech Therapy. A qualified Speech Therapist will assess the child to obtain a clear idea of the child’s strengths and weaknesses in language.
An intervention programme will be planned accordingly and areas of deficit will be targeted in therapy.
Information from parents and school teachers is essential in order to achieve the child’s maximum potential.