
Language Disorders
Language disorders are when an individual experiences difficulty with spoken language expression, spoken language comprehension, written expression, and reading comprehension. Language disorders can occur as a delay during childhood or in adulthood after an illness or injury.
Language disorders present in early childhood can result in difficulty understanding spoken language, resulting in frustration with communication. When persistent into preschool and school-age years, language disorders can cause difficulties with expressing ideas, telling stories, forming sentences, reading, writing, following directions, answering questions, and participating in conversations.
Assessment & Treatment of Language Disorders
Language is assessed using a combination of formal testing, informal observation, and extensive interview with the patient and their family. When available, information from teachers is also used to assess language functioning.
Treatment for language disorders are individualized for each patient’s specific needs. Our team uses a collaborative approach and is outcome oriented. While many of our speech and language patients are children, we see many adults and can help them overcome language and communication barriers through custom tailored treatment plans.
Social Pragmatic Language Disorder
A social pragmatic language disorder is the inherent understanding of underlying thoughts, beliefs, intentions, and emotional states of other people. Social pragmatics is our ability to think about and interact with others within and across social situations.
To assess for social pragmatic language disorder, a combination of parent report, teacher report (if available), and clinical observation will be needed. Diagnosis typically occurs when a child’s social skill development is behind that of their age-matched peers.
Treatment for pragmatics includes training for skills to improve metacognition (thinking about thinking), executive functions (planning, organizing, initiating, following-through), social thinking, and self-regulation.
Literacy
A literacy disorder is defined by difficulties with reading and/or writing that restricts one’s ability to perform at a level considered appropriate for their age. To assess for a literacy disorder, standardized assessments of reading (accuracy, fluency, comprehension) and/or writing (spelling, sentence formulation, punctuation, grammar, organization), and informal observation will be performed.
Treatment is highly individualized depending on the patient’s unique needs. One of our clinicians will work with you or your child to create an individualized treatment plan tailored to your exact needs.
Locations
Bellevue Clinic
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Lester Professional Building 1800
116th Ave NE, #103
Bellevue, WA 98004
- (425) 454-1883
- (425) 454-2036
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Office Hours
Monday: 8am - 5:30pm
Tuesday - Friday: 8am - 4:30pm
Kirkland Clinic
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Evergreen Surgery & Physicians Center
12333 NE 130th Ln, #430
Kirkland, WA 98034
- (425) 899-5050
- (425) 899-5054
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Office Hours
Monday - Friday: 8am - 4:30pm
Redmond Clinic
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Redmond Medical Building 8301
161st Avenue NE, #208
Redmond, WA 98052
- (425) 882-4347
- (425) 883-0043
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Office Hours
Monday - Friday: 8am - 5pm
Saturday: 8am - 4:30pm