Academic Language and Language Based Learning Difficulties
we build the language skills behind stronger reading comprehension
Building the Language of Comprehension
Your child can read the words, but doesn´t seem to understand what they read...
Reading comprehension is not only a reading skill. It is also a language skill. Children also need vocabulary, verbal reasoning, inferencing, narrative skills, background knowledge and the ability to organize and express what they´ve understood.
If your child is:
reading the words but not understanding the text
having difficulty answering questions
has a weak vocabulary (saying "the thing" instead of using real terms)
difficulty making inferences
difficulty identifying main ideas
trouble summarizing
trouble understanding character motivation
difficulty explaining evidence from a text
Language-based learning difficulties
´I know it in my head, but I can´t explain it.´
Some children are bright, verbal, and eager to learn- but still struggle with reading comprehension, writing, or understanding and expressing complex ideas. These difficulties may be related to underlying language skills, including vocabulary, sentence structure, narrative language, and the academic language required for school success.
Point Speech Pathology & Literacy Lab provides specialized support for children with language-based learning difficulties, including developmental language disorder and language-based learning disabilities. These often come with diagnoses such as ADHD, Dyslexia, and difficulties such as executive functioning, working memory, time management and organization, and weak oral language skills.
We help children strengthen the language skills that support reading comprehension, written expression, vocabulary development, organization, and academic communication.
If your child understands more than they can explain, struggles to retell or summarize what they have read, has difficulty organizing ideas in writing, or continues to struggle despite strong effort, language may be part of the picture.
Academic Language we work on:
- following complex directions
- understanding vocabulary
- explaining ideas
- answering questions
- making connections
- summarizing
- comparing/contrasting
- explaining cause/effect
- verbal reasoning
- understanding classroom language
Request a Language Evaluation
Concerned about your child´s reading comprehension? Let us identify what is getting in the way.