PSYCHOLOGY OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Language disorders
Language disorders are neurodevelopmental conditions that affect a person's ability to understand,
use, and process language. These disorders can manifest in various ways and can significantly impact
a person's communication skills, both verbally and in written form. Here is an explanation of
language disorders:
Language disorders can be classified into two main categories: receptive language disorders and
expressive language disorders.
Receptive language disorders are neurodevelopmental conditions that affect an individual's ability to
understand and comprehend spoken or written language. These disorders can significantly impact a
child's ability to understand and process information, follow instructions, and comprehend the
meaning of words and sentences. Here is a detailed explanation of receptive language disorders:
Difficulties in Understanding Language: Children with receptive language disorders may
struggle with understanding the meaning of words, phrases, and sentences. They may have
difficulty comprehending spoken language, which can make it challenging for them to follow
verbal instructions, understand classroom lectures, or engage in conversations.
Vocabulary and Word Retrieval Challenges : Individuals with receptive language disorders
may have limited vocabulary knowledge and difficulty retrieving the appropriate words to
express their thoughts and ideas. They may struggle to understand and remember new
words, making it challenging for them to comprehend complex texts or respond accurately in
exams that require a strong vocabulary base.
Complex Sentence Comprehension : Receptive language disorders can affect an individual's
ability to understand complex sentence structures. They may have difficulty comprehending
sentences with multiple clauses, passive voice, or complex grammatical structures.
Figurative Language and Idioms: Individuals with receptive language disorders may struggle
to understand figurative language, such as metaphors, similes, idioms, and humour. They
may interpret language literally, which can lead to difficulties in understanding figurative
expressions used in exams or texts. This can impact their ability to comprehend nuanced
language and infer meaning from context.
Attention and Processing Speed: Children with receptive language disorders may have
challenges with attention and processing speed, impacting their ability to process and
comprehend information efficiently. They may require more time to process verbal
instructions or written information, making it harder for them to keep up with the pace of
exams and complete tasks within the given time frame.
It is important to diagnose and provide appropriate interventions for individuals with receptive
language disorders. Speech-language therapy can be beneficial in improving their language
comprehension skills, vocabulary development, understanding of complex sentence structures, and
strategies for processing and interpreting language effectively.
Expressive language disorders refer to difficulties in expressing oneself and conveying thoughts,
ideas, and feelings using spoken or written language. Individuals with expressive language disorders
may struggle with various aspects of language production, including vocabulary, grammar, sentence
,structure, and organizing their thoughts coherently. Here is a more detailed explanation of
expressive language disorders:
Vocabulary Difficulties: Individuals with expressive language disorders may have a limited
vocabulary and struggle to find the right words to express their ideas. They may have
difficulty learning and retaining new words, which can hinder their ability to communicate
effectively.
Grammar and Sentence Structure Challenges : Expressive language disorders can manifest in
difficulties with grammar and sentence formation. Individuals may have trouble using
appropriate verb tenses, plurals, pronouns, or word order in sentences. They may omit or
misuse grammatical markers, leading to fragmented or incomplete sentences. These
challenges can make their spoken or written language difficult to understand and may affect
their ability to convey complex ideas or arguments in exams.
Limited Sentence Complexity: Individuals with expressive language disorders may struggle to
create sentences with a variety of structures or to use more complex sentence patterns. They
may rely on simple sentences and struggle to incorporate subordinate clauses, conjunctions,
or transitional phrases.
Difficulty Organizing Thoughts: Expressive language disorders can lead to challenges in
organizing and structuring thoughts coherently. Individuals may struggle to sequence
information logically or present ideas in a clear and organized manner. This can make it
difficult for them to provide cohesive and well-structured responses to exam questions,
affecting their overall performance.
Verbal Fluency Issues: Some individuals with expressive language disorders may experience
difficulties with verbal fluency, which refers to the ability to produce speech smoothly and
without hesitation. They may struggle to find the right words or experience frequent pauses,
repetitions, or word-finding difficulties.
Difficulty with Narrative Skills: Expressive language disorders can affect an individual's ability
to create coherent narratives or stories. They may struggle with elements such as character
development, plot organization, or maintaining a consistent storyline. This can impact their
performance in exams that require them to write narratives or summaries.
It is important to note that expressive language disorders can vary in severity and presentation.
Some individuals may have mild difficulties, while others may experience more significant challenges
that impact their everyday communication and academic performance. Speech-language therapy,
individualized education plans, and targeted interventions can help individuals with expressive
language disorders develop and improve their communication skills. By addressing specific areas of
difficulty, providing vocabulary and grammar support, and teaching effective communication
strategies, individuals can enhance their expressive language abilities and achieve greater success in
academic settings.
Language disorders can also manifest in other ways, such as:
Articulation Disorders: Some children may have difficulties producing speech sounds
correctly. This can lead to difficulties in pronouncing words accurately, making their spoken
language difficult to understand. In written exams, these individuals may have challenges
with spelling and may struggle to transfer their thoughts into written form.
, Phonological Disorders: Phonological disorders involve difficulties with the sound system of
a language. Children with phonological disorders may have trouble recognizing or producing
certain sounds or sound patterns in their native language. This can affect their ability to
decode words accurately, leading to challenges in reading and spelling tasks during exams.
Pragmatic Language Disorders: Pragmatic language refers to the social use of language,
including using appropriate greetings, taking turns in conversations, and understanding
nonverbal cues. Children with pragmatic language disorders may have difficulties
understanding and using social language skills. They may struggle with maintaining
appropriate eye contact, understanding sarcasm or figurative language, and engaging in
conversations. These challenges can impact their performance in oral exams or tasks that
require effective communication with others.
Acquired aphasia with epilepsy (landau klefner syndrome)
LEARNING DISABILITIES
A learning disability is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how an individual processes
information and learns new skills. It is characterized by significant and persistent difficulties in
acquiring and using specific academic or functional skills, despite average or above-average
intelligence. Learning disabilities are typically identified in childhood and can persist throughout a
person's life. They are not a result of intellectual disability, lack of opportunity, or inadequate
instruction, but rather stem from neurological differences in the way the brain processes and
interprets information.
Children with learning disabilities often require targeted interventions and accommodations to help
them overcome their challenges and reach their full potential. These interventions may include
specialized educational programs, individualized teaching strategies, assistive technologies, and
support from educators, therapists, and other professionals.
Dyscalculia: Dyscalculia is a specific learning disorder that affects an individual's ability to
understand and work with numbers. Individuals with dyscalculia may have difficulties with basic
arithmetic operations, number sense, counting, and understanding mathematical concepts. They
may struggle with tasks such as memorizing multiplication tables, recognizing patterns, or
understanding mathematical symbols. Dyscalculia can impact a person's performance in
mathematical exams and make it challenging to develop mathematical skills at the same pace as
their peers.
Dysgraphia: Dysgraphia is a specific learning disorder that affects a person's ability to write
coherently and fluently. Individuals with dysgraphia may have difficulties with handwriting,
spelling, and organizing their thoughts in written form. They may struggle with letter formation,
spacing, and maintaining consistent letter size and shape. Dysgraphia can make it challenging to
complete written assignments, take notes during classes, or express ideas effectively in written
exams.
Dyslexia: Dyslexia is a specific learning disorder that primarily affects reading and language
processing skills. Individuals with dyslexia may have difficulties with decoding words, recognizing
and understanding written words, and reading fluently. They may struggle with letter-sound
correspondence, word recognition, and comprehension of written texts. Dyslexia can impact a
person's performance in reading comprehension exams, hinder their ability to learn from written
material, and affect their overall academic progress.
, Auditory Processing Disorder (APD): Auditory Processing Disorder is a condition that affects the
processing and interpretation of auditory information. Individuals with APD may have difficulties
recognizing and understanding speech sounds, discriminating between similar sounds, or
understanding complex auditory instructions. They may struggle with tasks that require listening
comprehension, following verbal directions, or participating in discussions. APD can impact
performance in exams that involve listening or oral communication tasks.
Visual Perception or Processing Disorder : Visual perception or processing disorders refer to
difficulties in interpreting and making sense of visual information. Individuals with visual
processing disorders may have challenges with visual discrimination, spatial awareness, visual
memory, or visual-motor integration. They may struggle with tasks such as reading maps,
recognizing shapes, understanding visual patterns, or copying information accurately from a
board. Visual processing disorders can affect performance in exams that involve visual tasks, such
as interpreting graphs or diagrams.
Dyspraxia: Dyspraxia, also known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), is a condition
that affects motor coordination and planning. Individuals with dyspraxia may have difficulties
with fine motor skills (use of smaller hand muscles- drawing, colouring, writing, tracing), gross
motor skills (skills involving larger muscles- crawling, walking or running), and coordination. They
may struggle with tasks such as tying shoelaces, using utensils, writing, or participating in sports
activities. Dyspraxia can impact performance in exams that involve handwriting or tasks that
require fine motor control.
Aphasia: Aphasia is a language disorder that can occur due to brain damage, often resulting from
stroke or traumatic brain injury. It affects an individual's ability to understand, produce, and
process language. Depending on the severity and location of the brain damage, individuals with
aphasia may experience difficulties with speaking, listening, reading, or writing. Aphasia can
impact performance in various language-related exams and tasks, and it requires specialized
speech therapy and rehabilitation.
INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
Intellectual disabilities, also known as intellectual developmental disorders (IDD) or mental
retardation, refer to a significant limitation in sub- average intellectual functioning and in 2 or more
adaptive behaviour. It is typically diagnosed before the age of 18 and is characterized by below-
average intellectual functioning, as well as difficulties in areas such as communication, self-care,
social skills, and academic performance and problems with activities of daily living.
Age: Intellectual disabilities are typically identified in early childhood or during the developmental
period. The signs may become noticeable as children fail to meet developmental milestones,
experience difficulties in learning, or display delays in language acquisition, motor skills, or social
interaction. The severity of intellectual disabilities can vary widely, ranging from mild to profound.
Causes: Intellectual disabilities can have various causes, which can be classified into two broad
categories: genetic and environmental factors.
Genetic Causes: Certain genetic conditions can lead to intellectual disabilities, such as Down
syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, and other chromosomal abnormalities. Inherited genetic
conditions, such as phenylketonuria (PKU) and Tay-Sachs disease, can also contribute to
intellectual disabilities.
