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 Language learning difficulties in children linked to brain differences Share ThisHomeNewsLanguage learning difficulties in children linked to brain differences A new study using MRI has revealed structural brain changes in children with developmental language disorder (DLD), a common but under-recognised difficulty in language learning. Children with DLD aged 10-15 showed reduced levels of myelin in areas of the brain associated with speaking and listening to others, and areas involved in learning new skills. This finding is a significant advance in our understanding of DLD and these brain differences may explain the poorer language outcomes in this group. DLD is an extremely common disorder, affecting approximately two children in every classroom. Children with DLD struggle to comprehend and use their native language, facing trouble with grammar, vocabulary, and holding conversations. Their language difficulties considerably increase the risk of having difficulties when learning to read, underachieving academically, being unemployed, and facing social and mental health challenges. In this research, published in the journal eLife, Dr Saloni Krishnan and colleagues used MRI brain scans that were specifically sensitive to different properties of the brain tissue. For example, the scans measured the amount of myelin and iron in the brain. Myelin is a fatty substance that wraps around neurons and speeds up transmission of signals between brain areas. It is like the insulation around electrical cables. The research demonstrated that children with DLD have less myelin in parts of the brain responsible for acquiring rules and habits, as well as those responsible for language production and comprehension. Dr Krishnan (Reader, Royal Holloway, University of London), who led the study as a Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, said: ‘DLD is a relatively unknown and understudied condition, unlike better known neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD, dyslexia, or autism. This work is an important first step in understanding the brain mechanisms of this disorder.’ Senior author Kate Watkins, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Oxford, said: ‘This type of scan tells us more about the make up or composition of the brain tissue in different areas. The findings might help us understand the pathways involved at a biological level and ultimately allow us to explain why children with DLD have problems with language learning.' More studies are needed to determine if these brain differences cause language problems and how or if experiencing language difficulties could cause these changes in the brain. Further research may help scientists find new treatments that target these brain differences. The full paper, 'Quantitative MRI reveals differences in striatal myelin in children with DLD', can be read in the journal eLife. More information about the OxBOLD study can be found here. The Oxford Brain Organisation in Language Development or OxBOLD study was funded by the Medical Research Council Grant MR/P024149/1 and supported by the NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre. The Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging is supported by core funding from the Wellcome Trust (203139/Z/16/Z). LatestAphasiaAphasia is a disorder that affects a child’s ability to communicate. It is the result of damage to the parts of the brain responsible for language. It can affect a child’s ability to understand and produce language. A child with aphasia can experience many difficulties with language such as struggling to understand what is being said, thinking of the right words to use or saying them in the right order. Our speech and language therapists can help alleviate the difficulties a child with aphasia may be experiencing by providing them with advice, coping mechanisms and therapy. What exactly is aphasia?Aphasia is a condition that impacts upon a child’s communication abilities. It can affect their language production, their comprehension of language or both. Difficulties with production and comprehension of language is not just limited to speech, but reading and writing too. Aphasia can be classified into three types:
The type and severity of aphasia a child can have, depends upon where in the brain the damage has happened and how much damage has been done. What causes aphasia?Aphasia occurs as a result of damage to the parts of the brain that control language production and comprehension. Damage to the brain can occur in following ways:
PrevalenceResearch suggest that there are 250,000 people living in the United Kingdom who have aphasia. Symptoms associated with aphasiaThe symptoms that present in children with aphasia vary upon the type of aphasia and the severity of the damage to the brain. If the aphasia is the result of a traumatic brain injury or stroke, the symptoms would appear straight after the incident. If the aphasia is the result of a progressive condition the symptoms may appear over time and gradually deteriorate. Children with aphasia may not always be aware of the difficulties they present with and they may assume you are able to understand all of what they are saying. Symptoms include:
How does aphasia impact upon function?Aphasia can have a great effect on a child and their family’s lives. It can make simple everyday tasks around the home and school very difficult for a child. It can reduce the levels of independence a child has gained, this can cause frustration. Some difficulties a child can face on a daily basis include:
Speech and language therapy can have a positive impact on the life of a child who has aphasia. It can help to reduce the level of difficulties experienced by the child by providing them with a therapy programme that works specifically on their difficulties and improving their communication with others around them. Speech clinicWe are able to help children with any speech, language or communication difficulties and disorders in order to help children achieve their maximum potential. Read More...Speech and language therapy assessments suitable for aphasiaOur speech and language therapists can assess your child’s language and communication skills to establish the areas of difficulty and the level of difficulty. Our speech and language therapists may use both formal and informal assessments to assess the different features of language and communication. Our speech and language therapist will also look at the impact such difficulties have on your child’s activity and participation in daily life. Assessments for aphasia include:
Speech and language therapy treatment available for aphasiaSpeech and language therapy can be highly valuable to a child with aphasia, it can help to restore their language abilities and strengthen their existing communication skills. Our speech and language therapists can provide individualised therapy for your child, specific to their areas of difficulty. Our speech and language therapists work to provide your child with therapy that is unique to their skill set whilst incorporating their motivators and goals, as well as yours and the school's priorities. A child with aphasia may struggle with verbal expression, they may know what it is they want to say but find it difficult to find the right words or to say the words in an order that is correct or understood by others. Our speech and language therapists can provide strategies to help increase their ability to express their thoughts and feelings in a way that is understood by others. Depending on the severity of the child’s difficulties our speech and language therapists may introduce Augmentative and Alternative Communication such as signing, communication books or hi-tech devices. Therapy for aphasia our therapist provide include:
Our speech and language therapists can help provide your child with an individualised therapy programme that concentrates specifically on decreasing the child’s levels of difficulty and providing them with effective means of communication. This can reduce their frustration and help them to increase their quality of life.
Have questions?If you have any questions about the services that we provide or the difficulties that we are able to help, do not hesitate to contact us. Read More...Which of the following is the definition of a language disorder?What is language disorder? Language disorder is a communication disorder that can affect kids. Children with language disorder have trouble understanding and speaking language. They may struggle with written language, spoken language or both.
Is a type of language disorder characterized by unintelligible speech?An articulation disorder is characterized by defective production of individual speech sounds. This can cause poor speech intelligibility. Articulation errors include the following: Omissions: Sounds in words and sentences may be completely omitted.
Which of the following is an example of an articulation disorder?Examples of articulation errors include substituting one sound for another (e.g., saying wed for red), or leaving out sounds (e.g., nana instead of banana). Another type of articulation disorder is distortion of the “s” sound, also known as a lisp.
Which of the following is a motor speech disorder that affects the way in which a student plans to produce speech?Apraxia is a motor speech disorder that affects the way in which a student plans to produce speech.
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Students who have difficulty with language production may be experiencing what type of disorder?
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