Language disorders aren’t confined to children. Adults may experience problems as well, usually the result of either a disorder they’ve had since childhood or a newly acquired disorder related to disease or trauma. The latter scenario is often accompanied by a loss of function in other areas and poses a threat to a person’s health and quality of life.
What Causes a Language Disorder?
Unlike a speech disorder, which involves difficulty with pronunciation or articulation, a language disorder occurs when a person has trouble understanding others or sharing their own thoughts, ideas and feelings. It is commonly associated with a stroke.
Other medical conditions that may be responsible for acquired adult language disorders include dementia, traumatic brain injury, Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS), Huntington’s Disease and certain types of cancer.
In some cases, a language disorder may have existed since birth and not become apparent until language demands escalated with age.
What Are the Symptoms of a Language Disorder?
Children may experience preschool language disorders or language-based learning disabilities. Symptoms associated with the former include difficulty with the following:
- Understanding and/or using gestures.
- Following directions.
- Answering questions.
- Identifying objects.
- Putting words together to form sentences.
- Starting conversations and taking turns with others.
- Telling a story.
- Learning the alphabet.
Language-based learning disabilities involve problems with age-appropriate reading and writing. Dyslexia is a perfect example; children have difficulty with both spoken and written words and often experience problems expressing ideas, learning vocabulary, understanding questions and following directions. They may mix up the order of letters in words or numbers in math equations.
It is important to note that language-based learning disabilities have nothing to do with a child’s intelligence.
Adult language disorders are usually classified as aphasia, the result of damage to the areas of the brain that are responsible for language. Symptoms include difficulty producing (e.g., finding the right words to say, using made-up words) and understanding (misunderstanding others when they speak, misinterpreting what is said) language and problems with reading and writing.
How Are Language Disorders Treated?
Adult language disorders are best treated by a professional speech-language pathologist (SLP) skilled in the evaluation and treatment of patients with this type of disorder. The SLP will converse with the patient and may conduct a variety of tests to determine whether a disorder is present and if so gauge its severity.
Treating adult language disorders can be challenging. When language loss occurs following a stroke or other traumatic brain injury, the neurological damage is often progressive and difficult (if not impossible) to reverse. Speech and language therapy can help a person regain some functioning, but the odds of a full recovery are rare.
Our Speech Therapist
Kim Butler received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Memphis. She is a licensed speech-language pathologist in the state of Georgia and holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Kim is also a member of ASHA’s Special Interest Groups 3 (Voice and Upper Airway Disorders) and 13 (Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders).
Kim joined the Augusta ENT team in 2023 and specializes in diagnosing and treating voice disorders, swallowing disorders and upper airway.
With over two decades of experience in medical settings, Kim has provided care across the spectrum of speech-language pathology—including language, cognition, swallowing, voice, fluency and articulation. She is committed to a compassionate, evidence-based approach and believes strongly in holistic, patient-centered care. Her goal is to equip each patient with the tools, knowledge and confidence they need to take an active role in their healing and long-term wellness.
Outside of her clinical work, Kim enjoys running, traveling, reading, spending time with family and friends and volunteering in her community.
Andrea Glover was raised in Augusta, Georgia, and earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees in speech/language pathology from the University of Georgia. She retired from the Medical College of Georgia, where she served as a speech/language pathologist in both inpatient and outpatient care. She has been part of the team at Augusta ENT PC for over 14 years and currently resides in Columbia County with her husband. Together, they have two children and one grandchild. In her free time, she enjoys reading and cherishing moments with her family.
Call Augusta – Aiken ENT & Allergy at (706) 868-5676 or (803) 649-0003 for more information or to schedule an appointment.