Speech or language disorder?

[jenkins88]

Can anyone tell me what is the difference between a speech disorder and a language disorder?

DS has just had a SALT assessment but he wasn't co-operative so the SALT only got halfway through before our time was up. Everything is in a complete muddle at the moment. We have just moved so DS has to be transfered to our new area. The SALT couldn't tell us whether his next assessment would be at our old clinic or the new one, and didn't know when it would be. She just said 'someone will be in touch'.

He has been given a block of 6 group therapy sessions - Badgers Club (anyone's child been to this?). Although the SALT said that he would almost certainly require one to one therapy as well afterwards. I'm not adverse to this but the course doesn't seem to be aimed at DS's needs. It seems to be about learning colours and social skills, whereas I think my son's problems are more phonological.

Sorry for rambling. Would a language disorder mean that non verbal communication such as gesturing and engaging others would be impaired? Or does it refer to the way a sentance is constructed, rather than correct pronunciation, which would be speech?

TIA

No in fact we have just got turned down for statuory assessment, but I suspect that is partly because they know he has the place in the unit. They can apply for a statement there if they think he needs one. It is an infant assessment unit so it is only for 3 years maximum with the aim of him going into mainstream for year 2 or special school if they don't think he can cope.

Ds2's expressive language is sufficiently muddled and his articulation sufficiently unclear for people not to expect to understand him anyway!

just to reply to Saker about bilingual DS. He has x20 more english altho' he's been at a Portuguese creche for 1.5 years and DH has always spoken Port to him. Was freaked out a month or so ago when I read somewhere on the web that autistic children can never learn a 2nd language but my Port neighbours say he has quite a lot of vocab when playing with their DS. Just won't speak to DH in Port - v.frustrating for him. I stress about his lack of Port tho' as he's in the Port school system.

Wads it must be worrying for you but I guess if he is having language problems he is bound to be slower sorting out two languages.

Certainly I know people with Aspergers can learn more than one language. It sounds unlikely that you can generalise that all autistic kids can only learn one language.

And from what you say your ds is probably not autistic anyway. Mind you I understand why you worry. I worry all the time .

Yes worry used to be my middle name but is now my first! having bad week - supermarket melt down & screaming when left at creche in mornings. Hard not to assume the worst when he's like this

However benefit of living in another country is that strangers always assume he doesn't speak their language which means I am not constantly excusing his speech being hard to understand! Cop out! (blush)