Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)

Course Description Status: Approved

Course Description Version: 26/27.R.2.00

Description Period: 2026./27 academic year rudens semestris

Study Course Accepted: -

Study Course Description

Language Disorders in Children

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
REK_180
Branch of Science
Clinical medicine
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Rehabilitation
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Ilze Blūmentāle
Structure Unit Manager
Liāna Deklava
Structural Unit
Department of Rehabilitation
Contacts

Riga, 26a Anninmuizas boulevard, rk@rsu.lv, +371 20271291

About Study Course

Objective

To provide future audiologists with comprehensive, research-based and evidence-based knowledge of children's language development, classification, types and clinical features of language disorders; to develop skills to independently assess language disorders, interpret results and plan individualized, person-centered and functional-level language therapy, as well as to promote research skills in the field of children's language disorders.

Preliminary Knowledge

Speech Sound Disorders, Course Paper.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.As a result of the study course, students will be able to: Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of typical child language development, the etiopathogenesis, clinical features and terminology of language disorders. Navigate the classification of language disorders, recognizing primary (expressive/receptive) and secondary language disorders (ASD, genetic syndromes, etc.). Be familiar with evidence-based interventions, methods, techniques and modern technology/application solutions for promoting language development and therapy.

Skills

1.As a result of the study course, students will be able to: Conduct a child's language and communication assessment using qualitative methods (e.g., language sample, vocabulary, and narrative analysis) and clinical case analysis. Integrate and interpret assessment results to develop a structured assessment report and individualized language therapy plans (SMART). Plan and practically conduct audiological therapy sessions/interventions, adapting methods, techniques, visual aids, and materials to the child's individual level of functioning and needs (within the clinical case). Demonstrate professional communication, collaboration, and session management skills in simulation settings. Demonstrate scientific research skills by independently selecting, critically analyzing, and synthesizing scientific literature on evidence-based interventions and technologies for children with language disorders.

Competences

1.After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: Analyze language development indicators, causes and signs of language disorder (collect anamnesis, analyze clinical information, comprehensively assess the child's language, communication skills, the impact of disorder on functioning (ICF), understand the classification of language disorders, dg (ICF 10), plan and implement individualized, evidence-based language therapy according to the child's needs.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Individual work
35.00% from total grade
10 points

1. Individual independent work (Literature and theory) (45% of the total assessment).

Analysis and summarization of theoretical literature:

Summarization of the lecture topics: Preparation of a summary of the video lecture topic (Developmental (primary) language disorders: expressive and receptive) and independent study of the literature posted in e-studies

Exploration of intervention possibilities: Literature analysis of communication and language interventions for children with secondary language disorders.

Preparation for tests: Independent preparation for 5 tests throughout the course

2. Pair work and practical tasks (35% of the total assessment)

A. Development of an assessment report ("Bears and Cheese")

Develop and submit an assessment report using the International Classification of Functioning (ICF).

B. Planning and demonstration of a therapy session ("Mushroom and Worm")C. Analysis and demonstration of technology and applications

Submit a description in e-studies and demonstrate the operation of the application in practice.

3. Research/Group work (20% of the total assessment)

Topic: Evidence-based (evidence-based) intervention in the case of language disorders.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Examination
-
10 points

Cumulative assessment: to get the assessment, the following must be successfully completed:

Tests (5 tests) and independent work 45%:

14.09.26. Test on lecture topics.

21.09.26. Test on language disorder assessment.

28.09.26. Test on language disorder interventions.

05.10.26. Test on ASD (+ interventions).

12.10.26. Test at the end of the study course. Students who have received a grade of 9 (excellent) in each test during the study course do not take the final test of the study course.

Developed, evaluated independent works, pair work 35%.

21.09.26. Assessment report (Bears and Cheese). ICF.

28.09.25. Pair work: Description of the independent work session, demonstration within the framework of one selected therapy.

 (Mushroom and Worm)

05.10.26. Applications and technologies for developing a child's communication, language

Research work (Group work) 20%.

Submitted therapy description in e-studies, group work presentation.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
4

Topics

Language development. Classification, causes of language disorders.
Description

Lecture: Language development. Classification, causes of language disorders.

Topics:

  • Neurophysiology, neuroanatomy of language development.
  • Language development.
  • Diagnosis of language disorders in the ICD 10 classification, ICF classification. 
  • Classification of language disorders.
  • Causes, pathogenesis of language disorders.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
4

Topics

Developmental (primary) language disorder. Expressive and receptive language disorder.
Description

Lecture: Developmental (primary) language disorders. Expressive and receptive language disorders.

Topics:

  • Developmental (primary) language disorders.
  • Expressive language disorders, clinical signs.
  • Receptive language disorders, clinical signs. Assessment of language comprehension abilities.
  • Diagnosis of language disorders. 
  • Therapeutic options for developmental language disorders.

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Other
4

Topics

Secondary language impairment. secondary language impairments: cause. Genetic syndromes and language and communication difficulties. An inclusive learning environment for children with speech and language problems.
Description

Lecture: "Secondary Language Disorders"

Topics:

  • Secondary language disorders. 
  • Biomedical factors associated with secondary language development disorders. 
  • Genetic syndromes associated with language disorders in the practice of the audiologist. 
  • Evaluation of language disorders. Evaluation report.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
4

Topics

Assessment of a child's language and communication skills.
Description

Lesson: Assessment of child language and communication skills.

Students will gain practical experience: 

  • Taking an anamnesis.
  • Assessment of child language and communication skills (Standardized and non-standardized assessment. Non-standardized assessment of language and communication skills. Assessment of non-verbal child). 
  • Analysis of clinical signs of language disorders.
  • Documentation of data obtained in the assessment of speech and language.
  • Interpretation of assessment results, feedback, dynamic indicators.
  • Analysis of audio recordings of clinical cases.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
4

Topics

Evaluation of language disorder, therapeutic options.
Description

Lesson:Lesson: Evaluation of language disorder, therapeutic options.

Therapeutic options for promoting language development.

Planning the process of language therapy.

Creating, using materials required for language therapy.

Analysis of audio recordings and evaluation report.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
4

Topics

Communication and language disorders in secondary language disorders (AST, etc.)
Description

Lesson: Communication and language disorders in secondary language disorders (ASD, etc.)

Students will analyse: 

  • Communication and language disorders in secondary language disorders (ASD, etc.). 
  • Exploration of pragmatic language abilities. 
  • Therapeutic possibilities in secondary language disorders (ASD, etc.).

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
4

Topics

Intervences in cases of language disorders. Simulation/analysis of a clinical case.
Description

During the course; Interventions in language disorders. Simulation/analysis of a clinical case.

  1. Analysis and simulation of clinical cases: interactive, case-based learning (Case-Based Learning) for clinical decision-making and selection of the most appropriate intervention methods.
  2. Intervention methods and planning of sessions: practical learning of different intervention approaches for language development and planning of sessions for children with language disorders.

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
4

Topics

In class: Intervention for language disorders, practical demonstration. The students will demonstrate:
Description

In the class: Intervention in language disorders, practical demonstration. the students will demonstrate:

  • Research paper (Group work) – Evidence-based therapy in language disorders - analysis of a scientific article, presentation of therapy and practical demonstration
  • Plan language development classes, demonstrate.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
32 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Judīte Lūse, Irēna Miltiņa, Sarmīte Tūbele. Logopēdijas terminu skaidrojošā vārdnīca. Rīga: RaKa, 2020

2.

Suzanne M. Ducharme. Childhood Speech and Language Disorders : Supporting Children and Families on the Path to Communication. Blue Ridge Summit, PA Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2016

3.

Speech and Language Disorders in Children. Youth, and Families Institute of Medicine D Committee on the Evaluation of the Supplemental Security. Income (SSI) Disability. Program for Children with Speech Disorders and Language Disorders. Board on the Health of Select Populations Board on Children. 2016. Speech and Language Disorders in Children

4.

Rebecca J. Fey, Marc E. Gillam, Ronald Leonard, et all. Treatment of Language Disorders in Children. 2nd Edition. Brookes Publishing, 2016.

5.

Williams, Diana. Working with Children's Language: A Practical Resource for Early Years Professionals. Oxford: Routledge. Izveidošanas gads, 2022

Additional Reading

1.

Katharine Beals. 2015. Speech and Language Technology for Language Disorders. De Gruyter, Inc.

2.

Kohnert, Kathryn, Pham, Giang. Language Disorders in Bilingual Children and Adults. San Diego: Plural Publishing, Incorporated, 2020

3.

Leonard, Laurence B. Children with Specific Language Impairment. 2nd Edition. Cambridge: MIT Press, 2014

4.

Late-Talking Children: A Symptom or a Stage? Camarata, Stephen M. Cambridge: The MIT Press, 2014

5.

Paul Rhea. 2018. Language disorders from infancy through adolescence: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and communicating. St. Louis, Mo.: Elsevier/Mosby

Other Information Sources

1.

http://www.cplol.eu/

2.

http://www.asha.org/

3.

http://www.logopedi.lv/

4.

http://www.audiologopedi.lv/

5.

https://registri.visc.gov.lv/specizglitiba/metmat_esfpr.shtml