Communication is at the heart of everything — relationships, learning, emotional wellbeing, and independence. When a child struggles to communicate, every area of their life is affected.
The DSM-5 Communication Disorders
The DSM-5 identifies five main communication disorders in children. Each affects a different aspect of communication.
1. Language Disorder
Persistent difficulties in the acquisition and use of language — spoken, written, or sign language — due to deficits in comprehension or production.
Signs to watch for:
- Follows simple instructions but gets lost with complex ones
- Speaks in short, simple sentences when peers use longer ones
- Struggles to find the right word
- Misunderstands questions or instructions
- Difficulty retelling events or stories
2. Speech Sound Disorder
Persistent difficulty with speech sound production that interferes with verbal communication. Children may substitute sounds, omit sounds, or distort sounds — and can be difficult to understand even for family members.
Speech Sound Disorder is one of the most common communication disorders and is highly treatable with speech and language therapy, especially when started early.
3. Childhood-Onset Fluency Disorder (Stuttering)
Disturbances in the normal fluency and time patterning of speech. Signs include sound and syllable repetitions, sound prolongations, broken words, and physical tension during speech.
Stuttering typically begins between ages 2 and 5. The majority of children who stutter naturally recover, but for those who do not, early intervention is highly effective.
4. Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder
Persistent difficulties in the social use of verbal and nonverbal communication. This condition is distinct from autism — children with Social Communication Disorder do not show the restricted, repetitive behaviours characteristic of ASD.
Signs include difficulty understanding sarcasm or figurative language, taking things very literally, dominating conversations, and missing social cues.
5. Unspecified Communication Disorder
Used when communication difficulties are present but do not meet the full criteria for any of the above categories.
How Are Communication Disorders Diagnosed?
Assessment is carried out by a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), also known as a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT), with input from parents, teachers, and other professionals as needed.
What Support Helps?
Speech and Language Therapy is the primary intervention for all communication disorders. The specific approach depends on the type and severity of the difficulty.
Parent involvement is critical across all types — the more parents understand and practise strategies at home, the faster children progress.
The Earlier, the Better
The brain is most responsive to language learning in the first five years of life. Early intervention for communication disorders produces dramatically better outcomes than waiting. If you have a concern about your child’s communication, do not wait.
What Omora Care Wants You to Know
Communication connects us to the world. Every step your child takes towards clearer, more confident communication opens a new door — to friendships, to learning, to independence.
We have supported hundreds of children with communication difficulties. We know what works. And we would love to help your child find their voice.
