Acquired Language Disorders are disorders acquired after language has developed. This may be the result of any interruption within the brain. Most typically it is the result of a stroke or head injury but can be the result of disease.

Acquired language disorders are characterized by any number of the following language deficits which include:

• finding words or grammatical constructions
• understanding both written and spoken messages
• problems with spelling, writing, reading or math
• difficulty in social communication
• auditory and visual concentration
• problem solving
• memory

An evaluation would include, administration of a number of formal instruments assessing auditory comprehension skills, oral-motor function and mobility, executive function, expressive speech and swallowing. A full interview with the individual and his/her primary caregivers reveals specific areas of priority for rehabilitation as well informal observation of the individual’s behavior throughout the evaluation session.

A plan of care if implemented, will assist with the individual regaining many of the skills lost as a result of the injury as quickly as possible. Frequently, the result of frontal lobe damage increases the sense of loss and can result in significant depression which may impede progress. It is important to implement intervention as quickly as possible with immediate gains to increase a sense of recovery.

Typically intervention would include, but may not be limited to stimulation of both receptive and expressive language skills, regaining oral motor function and increasing executive function. This would involve memory and organizational strategies, oral motor exercise, and techniques for planning, organizing and attending to details.