08/03/2025
Excellent article that every parent with a struggling student needs to read! ‼️⭐
Warning Signs Your Child May Have an Undiagnosed Language Disorder
• **Grades don't tell the whole story** - If your child earns decent grades but requires heavy parent support for homework, struggles with essays, or can't follow multi-step directions independently, there may be underlying language issues
• **"Smart but struggling" is a red flag** - Children with average or above-average IQ scores can still have significant language disorders that affect learning. Don't let anyone dismiss concerns because your child "seems smart"
• **Social skills can mask academic language problems** - A child who chats normally may still struggle with the complex language needed for school tasks like summarizing, explaining processes, or understanding figurative language
Common Misdiagnoses to Watch For
• **ADHD over-diagnosis** - Behaviors like "zoning out," not following directions, or appearing inattentive may actually stem from language processing difficulties, not attention problems
• **Behavioral issues may be communication breakdowns** - Children labeled as "oppositional" or "disruptive" may be struggling to understand social cues, express their needs, or navigate conversations appropriately
• **Generic reading programs miss the mark** - Programs like Orton-Gillingham or Wilson are often recommended by default, but they only help with decoding. If your child's issue is comprehension, fluency, or oral language, these programs won't address the real problem
What to Look For in Evaluations
• **Demand comprehensive language testing** - Basic vocabulary tests aren't enough. Insist on assessments that examine how your child uses language in real academic contexts, including discourse, narrative skills, and pragmatic language
• **Question composite scores** - If there are large gaps between different subtests (like scoring at the 84th percentile on one task and 9th percentile on another), don't accept an "average" composite score as proof everything is fine
• **Ensure SLP involvement** - Speech-language pathologists should be part of the evaluation team from the beginning, not brought in as an afterthought
Red Flags in School Reports
• **Vague language observations** - Statements like "speaks in full sentences" or "language appears age-appropriate" based on casual conversation are insufficient for ruling out language disorders
• **Over-reliance on standardized achievement tests** - Tests like the WJ-V and WIAT-4 don't capture how children use language in real classroom situations
• **Waiting for a "discrepancy"** - Schools that require a large gap between IQ and achievement before providing services are using an outdated, harmful model
What Parents Can Do
• **Document specific struggles** - Keep detailed notes about homework difficulties, comprehension issues, and social communication challenges
• **Request specific assessments** - Ask for tests like the TILLS (Test of Integrated Language and Literacy Skills) that examine academic language use
• **Seek interdisciplinary evaluations** - Ensure psychologists, neuropsychologists, and speech-language pathologists work together, not in isolation
• **Don't accept surface-level explanations** - If your child is struggling despite support, push for deeper investigation into language processing abilities
As a speech-language pathologist (SLP) specializing in language and literacy assessment, I’ve reviewed hundreds of educational, psychoeducational, and neuropsychological evaluations for students with complex learning needs. I repeatedly see students who are clearly struggling in the classroom, des...
