Language Processing Disorder Symptoms in Adults & Children
Language Processing Disorder (LPD) makes understanding and using spoken language challenging. It affects both children and adults in school, work, and social settings. A child may struggle to follow directions, while an adult might have trouble keeping up in conversations or meetings.
With the proper support—like speech therapy —individuals with LPD can improve their language skills and gain confidence.
Key Takeaways:
Understanding Language Processing Disorder: LPD affects how the brain interprets words, making it difficult to follow conversations, respond quickly, and understand instructions.
Symptoms By Age: Children may struggle with comprehension, reading, and following directions, while adults may find it challenging to keep up with conversations or workplace communication.
Support Strategies Help: Speech therapy, classroom accommodations, workplace strategies, and self-advocacy can improve communication skills.
Early Diagnosis and Intervention: Early diagnosis and intervention are significant in supporting language development and avoiding educational and social challenges associated with delayed language milestones.
What Is Language Processing Disorder?
Symptoms of Language Processing Disorder
How Language Processing Disorder Affects Daily Life
Support & Strategies for Managing LPD
What Is Language Processing Disorder?
Unlike speech disorders, which impact how sounds and words are formed, LPD is a language disorder that specifically affects the ability to process what is heard.
People with LPD may struggle to follow conversations, respond quickly, or grasp instructions—even though their hearing and intelligence are normal. This can make school, work, and social interactions frustrating. However, language skills and communication abilities can improve with the right strategies and support.
Types of Language Processing Disorders
Here are the two types of LPD:
Expressive Language Disorder
Expressive language disorder is a condition that makes it difficult for individuals to articulate their thoughts. It can lead to challenges in forming sentences, finding the right words, or conveying ideas clearly. This type of LPD affects a person's ability to use expressive language effectively in conversations, academics, and work settings.
Receptive Language Disorder
Individuals with receptive language disorder struggle to understand spoken language, follow conversations, or interpret verbal instructions, even when hearing is normal.
Some people may experience both expressive and receptive language difficulties.
Most language disorders, including LPD, are developmental, similar to other learning disabilities. However, they can also result from neurological conditions or brain injuries, such as strokes or head trauma.
Symptoms of Language Processing Disorder
Language processing disorders affect both children and adults, though symptoms may present differently depending on age.
While language processing disorders can occur alongside intellectual disabilities, they are more commonly found in those with average or above-average intelligence, making communication challenges frustrating despite strong cognitive abilities.
Below are common signs of expressive and receptive language disorders in both children and adults:
Expressive Language Disorder Symptoms
Limited vocabulary for their age or professional expectations
Frequent use of filler words like "um" or vague terms like "stuff" and "things"
Difficulty using correct verb tenses
Repeating phrases when telling a story or answering a question
Producing sentences that may not make sense
Struggling to learn new words or recall specific terminology
Often feeling like words are "on the tip of their tongue"
Frustration with communication difficulties, leading to avoidance of conversations
Receptive Language Disorder Symptoms
Appearing disinterested in conversations, meetings, or social settings
Difficulty following spoken instructions, especially when information is complex or fast-paced
Frequently misinterpreting questions or responding inappropriately
Struggling to understand jokes, sarcasm, or figurative language
Seeming withdrawn or overwhelmed in group discussions
Adults with language processing disorders may find that their challenges impact workplace communication, academic performance, and social interactions. If these symptoms interfere with daily life, seeking professional evaluation and support can help improve language skills and confidence.
Receptive and Expressive Language Disorders in Children
Check out our blog on receptive and expressive language disorders in Children for more information!
How Language Processing Disorder Affects Daily Life
Language processing difficulties impact spoken and written language, highlighting the need for effective strategies and interventions.
At School: Children with LPD may struggle with learning, following classroom discussions, and understanding reading materials. They might have difficulty answering questions, staying engaged, or keeping up with lessons that rely on verbal instructions.
At Work: Adults with LPD often find it hard to follow meetings, process spoken instructions, or clearly express their ideas. This can lead to missed details, miscommunication, and frustration in professional settings.
In Relationships: Misunderstandings can arise in conversations with family, friends, and colleagues. Individuals with LPD may have trouble keeping up with fast-paced discussions, leading to feelings of isolation or frustration.
With the right support, people with Language Processing Disorder can develop strategies to deal with these challenges and improve communication.
Getting a Diagnosis
If you or a loved one has trouble understanding and processing language, a proper diagnosis can provide clarity and guide the right support.
Who to See
A speech-language pathologist (SLP) is the primary professional who evaluates and treats language disorders such as Language Processing Disorder. In some cases, other specialists, such as psychologists or audiologists, may be involved in ruling out related conditions, such as auditory processing issues.
What to Expect in an Evaluation
A Language Processing Disorder assessment typically includes:
Listening and comprehension tasks – Understanding spoken words, following directions, and processing information.
Language processing tests – Identifying difficulties with recognizing, organizing, and responding to spoken language.
Memory and attention assessments – Evaluating how well verbal information is retained and used in conversation.
Expressive language evaluation – Assessing the ability to clearly organize thoughts, retrieve words efficiently, and express ideas in a structured and coherent manner.
A thorough evaluation helps determine strengths, challenges, and the best approach for improving communication skills.
Support & Strategies for Managing LPD
With the right strategies, individuals with Language Processing Disorder can improve communication and deal with daily challenges more effectively.
For Children
Speech and language therapy – Helps develop language comprehension and expressive language skills through personalized treatment plans and various techniques employed by speech therapists.
Classroom accommodations – Written instructions, extra time to process information, and support from teachers.
Support at home – Encouraging patience, repetition, and breaking down complex instructions into simpler steps.
For Adults
Workplace strategies – Taking notes, requesting written instructions, and using assistive tools like speech-to-text apps.
Communication coaching – Builds confidence in expressing thoughts clearly and keeping up with conversations.
Self-advocacy – Informing employers, coworkers, and loved ones about LPD to create a more supportive environment.
With the right support, both children and adults with LPD can strengthen their language skills and communication abilities, leading to greater confidence in everyday interactions.
Frequently Asked Questions About LPD
1. What is the difference between language processing and auditory processing disorder?
LPD affects understanding and using spoken language. Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) impacts how the brain processes sounds, causing trouble distinguishing similar sounds or filtering background noise.
2. Can language processing disorder be cured?
There is no cure for LPD, but with speech and language therapy, strategies, and support, individuals can improve their language processing skills.
Many children and adults learn ways to manage challenges, enhance communication, and handle daily life more effectively.
3. How does language processing disorder affect learning?
LPD can make it harder to follow verbal instructions, understand lessons, and express ideas, impacting reading, writing, and classroom participation.
Students with LPD can succeed in learning environments with accommodations such as extra time, written materials, and individualized support.
Learning disabilities can manifest as specific language disorders and affect language processing. Understanding these conditions is crucial for seeking appropriate support and improving communication skills.
4. What is involved in understanding spoken and written language?
Understanding spoken and written language involves processing sounds, recognizing words, grasping meaning, and interpreting context.
It requires listening, memory, attention, vocabulary knowledge, grammar, and the ability to infer meaning from sentences and texts.
5. What is the difference between language processing disorder and expressive language disorder?
Language Processing Disorder (LPD) affects how the brain processes, understands, and organizes spoken language. It can impact both receptive (understanding what is heard) and expressive (formulating and expressing thoughts) language skills. People with LPD may struggle to follow conversations, process spoken instructions, retrieve words efficiently, or organize their thoughts when speaking.
On the other hand, Expressive Language Disorder specifically affects spoken language output. Individuals with this disorder may understand language well but have difficulty putting words together, using correct grammar, retrieving vocabulary, or structuring sentences coherently.
How Connected Speech Pathology Can Help
Connected Speech Pathology offers expert speech therapy for individuals with Language Processing Disorder, helping children and adults improve comprehension and communication.
Our licensed speech-language pathologists provide personalized strategies to tackle challenges in school, work, and daily life. They address spoken and written language difficulties, ensuring comprehensive support for all aspects of communication.
With years of experience delivering remote therapy, we offer live, interactive sessions that provide real-time feedback and tailored exercises. Clients receive expert guidance from home, making high-quality support accessible and convenient.
Connected Speech Pathology’s flexible approach ensures practical solutions for each client’s needs, helping them build confidence and improve communication skills effectively.
Summary
Language Processing Disorder can present daily challenges, but with the proper support, individuals can improve communication and confidence.
Early recognition and tailored strategies make a difference for a child struggling in school or an adult facing workplace difficulties.
With speech therapy and professional guidance, those with LPD can develop effective skills to handle conversations, learning, and social interactions more easily.
About the Author
Allison Geller is a speech-language pathologist (SLP) and the owner of Connected Speech Pathology. She obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Florida in Speech-Language Pathology. Allison has practiced speech therapy in a number of settings including telepractice, acute care, outpatient rehabilitation, and private practice. She has worked extensively with individuals across the lifespan including toddlers, preschoolers, school-aged children, and adults. She specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of a variety of communication disorders including receptive/expressive language disorders, articulation disorders, voice disorders, fluency disorders, brain injury, and swallowing disorders.
Allison served as the clinical coordinator of research in aphasia in the Neurological Institute at Columbia University Medical Center in New York. She is on the Board of Directors for the Corporate Speech Pathology Network (CORSPAN), a Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) certified clinician, and a proud Family Empowerment Scholarship/Step-Up For Students provider. Allison is passionate about delivering high quality-effective treatment remotely because it’s convenient and easy to access. What sets us apart from other online speech therapy options is—Allison takes great care to hire the very best SLPs from all over the country.
