Receptive Language is the ability to understand/comprehend spoken or written language. It is often referred to as the “input” of language. Children with receptive language deficits may present with the inability to follow directions, comprehend yes/no questions, “wh” questions or open-ended questions or follow along in conversation.

Expressive Language is the ability to express one’s wants and needs through verbal and nonverbal communication. It is often referred to as the “output” of language. Children with expressive language deficits may present with the inability to share thoughts, ideas and feelings, reduced vocabulary as same age peers or difficulty with word finding with an increase use of place holders (i.e saying “um”, “uh”)

Speech sound disorders affect how a child produces speech sounds clearly. In an articulation disorder, a child may substitute, omit, or distort individual sounds. In a phonological disorder, a child may use patterned sound errors that affect several sounds at once. These differences can make a child harder to understand. Promised Land Therapy provides individualized evaluation and treatment to support clearer speech development.

Fluency refers to continuity, smoothness, rate, and effort in speech production Children with fluency disorders or who “stutters” may present utilizing fillers in speech such as “uh”, or may repeat a word or phrase Fluency disorders can be characterized as repetitions(i.e. I want want more), prolongations (i.e I wwwwwant more), or blocks (i.e I……want more).

A Voice Disorder occurs when vocal pitch, quality or loudness differ or is inappropriate for a child’s age, gender, cultural background or geographic location (Aronson & Bless, 2009; Boone et al., 2010; Lee et al., 2004). Voice Disorders can be characterized as organic (physical changes in the vocal mechanism) or functional (inefficient use of the vocal mechanism) Children with Voice disorders may present with abnormal high or low pitch voices/whispers, harsh or hoarseness, loss of voice etc.

Dysphagia refers problems with swallowing. Feeding disorders can include problems with sucking, eating from an utensil, chewing or drinking from a cup Swallowing disorders refers to difficulties manipulating food from the mouth, throat, or esophagus to the stomach.