The difference between speech and language disorder

A lot of people often confuse speech disorder and language disorder. The two are widely different. Medically, they are separate conditions. This distinction is often neglected as both conditions affect the ability to communicate. However, the degree at which these conditions affect a person is distinct. According to neuroengineering expert Dr. Curtis Cripe, knowing the difference between language and speech disorder can help parents seek proper medical attention and mitigate specific conditions.

Speech disorder affects oral communication. An example of a speech disorder is apraxia of speech, where the connection between the brain and the muscles used for speech is obscured or disconnected. These muscles include the ones found in the jaw, lips, tongue, and vocal tract. This condition results in unrecognizable speech.

A language disorder on the other hand affects the perception of written and spoken language. While speech disorder is based on the inability to speak properly, language disorder hinders understanding of language in general.

Language disorder can be categorized into two: receptive language issues and expressive language issues. Receptive language issues are manifested in trouble understanding orally transmitted communication or spoken language. These also occur because of the inability to properly communicate personal thoughts. While both language and speech disorders affect people separately, there are cases of people suffering from both conditions.

Parents should be wary of signs and symptoms of both language and speech disorder for the early detection of such conditions and the provision of timely treatment or therapy. According to Dr. Curtis Cripe, the right diagnosis can bring children back on track in learning, or at least point parents toward the right direction of help.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is the head of research and development at the NTL Group, which specializes in the development of brain-based technology for healing and repairing neurological dysfunctions. For more insightful reads on neurological disorders, visit this blog.