Teaching a Child With a Language Processing Disorder to Read

You may find that your child has a hard time following directions or joining a conversation. She may lose interest when you read her a story. When she speaks, she may consistently misuse parts of speech. She may not just be inattentive; she may have a language processing disorder. Since reading relies heavily on both visual and auditory learning, the disorder may also affect her reading.

  1. What Is a Language Processing Disorder?

    • A Language Processing Disorder is a neurological problem that affects your child̵7;s ability to communicate with those around her. It should not be confused with an Auditory Processing Disorder that affects how the child hears sounds. Children with an LPD have a hard time decoding and understanding the spoken word. It is compared to trying to translate a foreign language all the time. You may notice that your child has a hard time rhyming words or explaining her own ideas. Children are diagnosed with LPD after tests on hearing and comprehension. This usually involves an audiologist, neuropsychologist and a speech-language pathologist.

    How LPD Affects Reading

    • Just as dyslexia interferes with the ability to decode and understand visual input, LPD garbles audible input. The inability to process words means that your child may miss key plot points, leaving her confused as the story progresses. Children with LPD may find it difficult to associate letters with their sounds, making phonics confusing. Inverting word sounds makes spelling difficult. Misinterpreting words affects your child̵7;s ability to both read and write a complete sentence.

    How to Help

    • The first thing parents can do is talk to the pediatrician and speech professional. After a diagnosis, you can work with the child on listening skills. This means trying to reduce background noise to limit confusing sounds your child might hear. It is also important to make sure you have your child̵7;s full attention before speaking to her. Ask her to repeat or restate any instructions you give for accuracy. Give her time to think through her response before she speaks.

    How to Help an Emerging Reader

    • Help your child learn to match letters with their sounds by teaching phonics with visual or physical cues. For example, the letter ̶0;r̶1; can be paired with a revving motorcycle, with the child making the action of revving the bike as she makes the ̶0;r̶1; sound. Speech pathologist Deanna Swallow of North Shore Pediatric Therapy encourages parents to tap into the other senses to support the auditory learning. Have patience. Give your child time to figure out words on her own and fit them into the context of the sentence or story. Purchase favorite books as recordings so that your child can listen as she follows the written word in the book. You can also record your own so that your child hears a familiar voice.

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