Language Disorders

OVERVIEW

Language difficulties can occur across the lifespan. At the UNCG Speech and Hearing Center, we work with both children and adults with developmental and acquired language disorders. We provide individualized, evidence-based evaluation and treatment that focuses on improving functional communication that helps clients succeed in real-life situations at home, school, work, and in their communities.

Developmental Language Disorders (Children and Adolescents):
These are language difficulties that emerge as a child is learning to communicate. Children may:

• Have trouble understanding directions or questions
• Use shorter or less detailed sentences than peers
• Struggle to find the right words or explain ideas clearly
• Have difficulty with grammar, storytelling, reading, or writing
• Experience challenges with social communication, such as taking turns in conversation or staying on topic

These challenges may impact success at school, relationships with peers, and participation in everyday activities.

Acquired Language Disorders (Adolescents and Adults):
These occur when language skills are affected due to a medical event or condition. Causes may include stroke, traumatic brain injury, neurological conditions, or illness. Individuals may:

• Have difficulty finding words (word-finding problems)
• Struggle to understand conversations, especially in complex or fast-paced settings
• Experience challenges with reading, writing, or organizing thoughts
• Have trouble participating in conversations at home, work, or in the community

Services focus on restoring language skills when possible and developing effective strategies to support communication and independence.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Comprehensive diagnostic assessment that will identify specific language deficits or developmental delays in listening and speaking skills
• Written diagnostic report of findings with recommendations for clients, parents, care-providers and teachers
• Face-to-face discussion of the results of evaluation and clinical interpretation of the findings
• Treatment plan with tailored goals and skilled interventions for remediation based upon research-based intervention approaches
• Individual therapy provided by skilled graduate students supervised by an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist with expertise in the area
• Progress reports informing clients of progress toward achieving intervention goals in the area of expressive or receptive language