Dysphasia is a structural and lasting disorder in the learning and development of oral language. Dysphasics, like dyslexics, are children without history, of normal intelligence and without neurological lesion, sensory problem, anatomical defect, personality disorder or educational deficiency.
Namely
Do you have a boy? Watch for it: little men are, statistically, more affected than girls.
Types of dysphasia
There are two main types of dysphasia: receptive dysphasia (uncommon) and expressive dysphasia.
In the first case, the child hears correctly but cannot analyze the sounds of language and understand what they correspond to.
In the second case, the young person understands everything he hears but cannot choose the sounds that make up the right word or the right syntax.
In some cases, dysphasia can be mixed, that is, a combination of the two forms.
In practice, the dysphasic does not manage to use language to exchange, express his thoughts with others. Unlike his ability to speak, other higher functions (motor skills, intelligence) are preserved.
The degrees of severity of the disorder are variable: comprehension, vocabulary, syntax can be achieved to the point of preventing the transmission of information.
Namely
1% of the school population would be affected by this disorder, present from the start of learning oral language.
Dysphasia: which examinations?
The practitioner will prescribe, if it has not already been done, an ENT assessment (otolaryngology) with a hearing assessment.
If there is no sensory deficit, go to the neuropsychologist and speech therapist for a complete assessment.
Most often it is the speech therapy which points to the track of dysphasia.
But don’t expect to have a clear, definitive diagnosis until you’re five years old. Initially, the speech therapist will suspect a possible dysphasia and will put in place an appropriate care. A situation that Hélène is currently experiencing: ” Thomas, 5, has been followed for 2 years by a speech therapist at the rate of two sessions per week. Thinking of dysphasia, she gave him a checkup. According to the neuro-pediatrician, it is too early to say. He will see him again at the end of 2007. For the moment we are talking about language delay.«.
Neuropsychological assessment allows you to check that there are no associated disorders (mental deficiency, attention deficit, hyperactivity) and to define the type of dysphasia from which your child suffers. Thanks to this examination, the doctor will identify the deficits and the strengths of his little patient and will propose a rehabilitation.
Language tests The examination practiced by the speech therapist is based on the three axes essential to the construction and organization of the linguistic function: non-verbal interaction and communication capacities, cognitive capacities, properly linguistic capacities. Concretely it is about repetitions of sounds, rhythms of words and utterances, names from images and performances given orally. |
What treatment for dysphasia?
No secret: for it to progress, it must be stimulated.
Express yourself in everyday language, quite simply, without “baby” or overly complex words.
Children with dysphasia tend to confuse certain sounds, which leads to confusions of meaning. Using a visual aid or making a gesture to accompany certain sounds is a technique recommended by doctors specializing in language rehabilitation. But do not confuse this “trick”, which can be used in class with the teacher, with the more complex learning of sign language.
Progress step by step
Dysphasia is a disorder which can only evolve positively without disappearing. Depending on the case, progress will be more or less slow. It will therefore be necessary to be patient and never give up. The goal is not to obtain perfect language at all costs, but optimal communication.
Do you want to talk about it between parents? To give your opinion, to bring your testimony? We meet on https://forum.parents.fr.