4 ways language disorders can affect your child’s social life. By Liana Chandler (Bach EC, M.T & M Ed Spec)
Language disorders can make it hard for children to engage in the normal give-and-take of conversation. Depending on your child’s particular language issue, different social skills may be affected. Here are some common social challenges—and ways to help.
Social Challenge #1: Your child monopolises conversations. The language link: Social communication disorder (SCD) often makes it hard for kids to understand the rules of polite conversation.
Tip: During conversations with your child, remind them to slow down and listen to you. Maintaining eye contact with your child can also help them develop turn-taking skills.
Social Challenge #2: Your child is quiet around friends. The language link: Expressive language disorder (ELD) is a condition that makes it hard to put thoughts into words. This causes some kids to become shy.
Tip: Use everyday activities to encourage conversation. For example, while grocery shopping, ask your child to discuss what he likes to eat and why.
Social Challenge #3: Your child doesn’t understand jokes or sarcasm. The language link: Children with SCD can be very literal-minded and have trouble interpreting tone of voice.
Tip: Watch TV shows together, and discuss the characters’ moods. Explain how you can sense a character’s emotions. This will help your child to learn to interpret nonverbal cues.
Social Challenge #4: Your child gets tongue-tied. The language link: Kids with ELD and mixed receptive expressive language disorder have trouble finding the right words.
Tip: Help your child expand his vocabulary. When introducing a new word, explain what it means, then use it in a context he’ll remember: “I need a vehicle to take me to the store.”
Having social issues on top of learning difficulties can take a toll on your child’s self-esteem. But there are many techniques you can use to help your child develop stronger social skills—there are even ways watching TV can help!
Language disorders can make it hard for children to engage in the normal give-and-take of conversation. Depending on your child’s particular language issue, different social skills may be affected. Here are some common social challenges—and ways to help.
Social Challenge #1: Your child monopolises conversations. The language link: Social communication disorder (SCD) often makes it hard for kids to understand the rules of polite conversation.
Tip: During conversations with your child, remind them to slow down and listen to you. Maintaining eye contact with your child can also help them develop turn-taking skills.
Social Challenge #2: Your child is quiet around friends. The language link: Expressive language disorder (ELD) is a condition that makes it hard to put thoughts into words. This causes some kids to become shy.
Tip: Use everyday activities to encourage conversation. For example, while grocery shopping, ask your child to discuss what he likes to eat and why.
Social Challenge #3: Your child doesn’t understand jokes or sarcasm. The language link: Children with SCD can be very literal-minded and have trouble interpreting tone of voice.
Tip: Watch TV shows together, and discuss the characters’ moods. Explain how you can sense a character’s emotions. This will help your child to learn to interpret nonverbal cues.
Social Challenge #4: Your child gets tongue-tied. The language link: Kids with ELD and mixed receptive expressive language disorder have trouble finding the right words.
Tip: Help your child expand his vocabulary. When introducing a new word, explain what it means, then use it in a context he’ll remember: “I need a vehicle to take me to the store.”
Having social issues on top of learning difficulties can take a toll on your child’s self-esteem. But there are many techniques you can use to help your child develop stronger social skills—there are even ways watching TV can help!
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