Private Occupational Therapy and Sensory Integration | The OT Centre

Occupational Therapy for Specific Language Impairment (SLI)

Specific Language Impairment (SLI), also known as Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by significant difficulties in acquiring and using language, despite otherwise typical development in other areas. It is important to note that SLI is not the result of hearing impairment, intellectual disability, or other neurological conditions.

Facts

Common Difficulties associated with Specific Language Impairment

How can Occupational Therapy help?

Classification

There are several common classifications of SLI including;

Expressive: difficulty expressing themselves through speech
Receptive: difficulty understanding and processing spoken or written language
Phonological: impaired abilitiy to perceive and manipulate sounds of language

Cause

There are several factors believed to contribute to the development of Dysgraphia including;

Neurological Factors
Genetics
Developmental Factors
Sensory Processing

Risk Factors

There are several risk factors for Dysgraphia including family history, neurodevelopmental disorders, premature birth, developmental delays and sensory processing issues.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of Specific Language Impairment include;

Limited vocabulary
Incorrect word order
Difficulty with complex language
Limited use of pronouns
Reduced understanding of language

Occupational Therapy Specialism

Occupational Therapists who specialise in assessing and treating people who have Specific Language Impairment are based in a branch of Occupational Therapy for Learning Difficulties.

Common Difficulties associated with Specific Language Impairment

Specific Language Impairment (SLI), also known as Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), can lead to a range of difficulties that affect a person's language and communication abilities. These difficulties can have a significant impact on various aspects of daily life, including academic performance, social interactions, and overall communication.

Vocabulary Difficulties

Limited and less varied vocabulary compared to peers.
Difficulty learning and retaining new words and their meanings.

Grammar and Sentence Structure Challenges

Difficulty constructing grammatically correct sentences.
Errors in verb conjugations, tenses, plurals, and other grammatical aspects.
Incomplete or inaccurate use of prepositions, articles, and pronouns.

Comprehension Problems

Difficulty understanding spoken or written language at age-appropriate levels.
Struggles with following complex directions and instructions.
Limited comprehension of more abstract or complex language concepts.

Expressive Language Issues

Difficulty expressing thoughts, ideas, and feelings clearly and coherently.
Challenges in conveying complex information through language.
Reduced ability to engage in meaningful conversations and storytelling.

Reading and Writing Difficulties

Challenges in reading comprehension, decoding words, and spelling.
Difficulty with writing tasks, including organizing ideas, forming sentences, and maintaining proper grammar and punctuation.

Social Communication Problems

Difficulty with social language and pragmatics, such as turn-taking, maintaining topics in conversations, and interpreting non-verbal cues.
Challenges in understanding humor, sarcasm, and implied meanings in communication.

Slow Language Development

Delayed language milestones in early childhood, including first words and sentence development.

Speech Sound Errors

Pronunciation difficulties, leading to articulation errors.
Inconsistent speech sound production.

Word-Finding Difficulties

Struggles with retrieving and using words appropriately in conversation.
Frequent pauses or use of vague language when trying to express specific ideas.

Limited Descriptive Language

Difficulty providing detailed descriptions of objects, events, or experiences.

Academic Challenges

Difficulty in school subjects that require language skills, such as reading, writing, and comprehension of academic content.
Lower academic achievement compared to peers.

Social and Emotional Impact

Frustration, anxiety, and low self-esteem related to communication challenges.
Difficulty forming and maintaining social relationships due to communication difficulties.

How can Occupational Therapy help?

Occupational therapy (OT) can be a beneficial intervention for individuals with Specific Language Impairment (SLI) or Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) by addressing various areas of development that may impact their language and communication skills. While speech-language therapy is typically the primary approach for addressing language difficulties, OT can complement these services and focus on specific areas that influence language development.

Sensory Integration

OTs can address sensory processing difficulties that may co-occur with SLI. Sensory integration therapy can help individuals regulate sensory input, improving their comfort and focus in various environments, including those related to language and communication.

Fine Motor Skills

Developing fine motor skills, such as finger dexterity and hand strength, can support writing, drawing, and other fine motor tasks that are important for language development and expression.

Visual Perception and Spatial Skills

Occupational therapists can work on visual perceptual skills, including visual memory, spatial awareness, and tracking, which are essential for reading, writing, and understanding visual information in language.

Social Communication and Pragmatic Skills

OTs can help individuals with SLI improve their social communication and pragmatic language skills by providing opportunities for practicing social interactions and teaching effective communication strategies.

Self-Regulation and Attention

OT can assist individuals in developing self-regulation strategies, attention skills, and the ability to stay focused during language-based tasks, which can improve language comprehension and expression.

Sensory-Motor Integration

Some individuals with SLI may benefit from activities that promote sensory-motor integration, as these skills can support the development of language and cognitive abilities.

Environmental Modifications

Occupational therapists can recommend environmental modifications in educational and home settings to create an optimal learning environment that reduces distractions and supports language development.

Executive Function Skills

OTs can work on executive function skills, such as organization, planning, and time management, which are crucial for academic success and effective communication.

Anxiety and Emotional Regulation

Language difficulties can sometimes lead to anxiety and emotional challenges. Occupational therapists can provide strategies to manage anxiety and promote emotional regulation.

Parent and Educator Training

Occupational therapists often collaborate with parents and educators to provide strategies and recommendations for supporting individuals with SLI in various settings, including the home and school.