Silent Struggles: understanding speech and language disorders in children with brain injuries

If your child has experienced a brain injury, you might have noticed they struggle to communicate. This can be a confusing and emotional time, but as a paralegal in the Child Brain Injury team at Bolt Burdon Kemp, I’ve seen many families face similar challenges, and I know there’s a lot of support available. In this blog, I’ll explain what speech and language disorders are, why they happen, and what can be done to help your child and your family.

What’s the difference between a speech disorder and a language disorder?

It’s easy to assume that speech and language disorders are the same thing, but they’re quite different:

• Speech disorders: These affect how a child makes sounds. For example, your child might find it difficult to pronounce words clearly, speak fluently, or control their voice’s pitch or volume.
• Language disorders: These affect how a child understands and uses words to communicate. Your child might struggle to find the right words, form sentences, or follow conversations.

A child with a speech disorder might know exactly what they want to say but struggle to get the words out. A child with a language disorder might find it hard to understand what others are saying or express their own ideas.

What causes speech and language disorders?

There are many reasons why a child might have difficulties with speech and language. Common causes include:

• Being born with a condition: Some children are born with conditions or genetic syndromes that affect their development from the start.
• Brain injuries: Accidents, infections, or medical events like strokes or brain tumours can damage areas of the brain that control speech and language.
• Lack of oxygen: Situations such as a difficult birth or medical emergencies can sometimes lead to brain injuries that affect communication skills.

Every child is unique, so the way they’re affected—and the help they’ll need—will depend on their specific situation.

Understanding non-verbal or non-speaking Children

If your child doesn’t speak, you might worry about how to assess their abilities or understand their needs. It’s important to know that being non-verbal or non-speaking doesn’t necessarily mean your child has an intellectual disability. Many children who can’t speak still understand what’s happening around them and have plenty they’d like to share—they just need the right tools and support.

Speech and language specialists are trained to assess children who are non-verbal. They use creative and thoughtful methods, such as observing how a child responds to sounds, gestures, or pictures. They might also explore alternative communication methods, like pointing, signing, or using technology like eye-tracking devices. eye-gaze technology, or communication boards.

At BBK, we understand that medical assessments can seem daunting for a child with a speech and language disorder, and for their family. To get the best out of the assessment process, we make sure it takes place in a comfortable and familiar environment, with a trusted family member, carer or therapist present for emotional support and to clarify or explain how the child is communicating.

Challenges associated with speech and language disorders

In my experience, the challenges your child faces may in part depend on whether their difficulties have been present since birth or developed later. A child born with a speech or language disorder may need long-term support as they grow and develop. Therapy and interventions will need to change as their needs evolve. If your child developed a disorder after an injury, they might feel frustrated and upset about losing skills they once had. Relearning speech and language can be hard, but with the right help, children can make remarkable progress.

Children and families face other challenges too. With all children there is a risk of social isolation, as they may find it difficult to make friends or engage socially, leading to loneliness. It’s painful for families to watch their child struggle to connect with others.    A child may mistakenly be considered shy or defiant, leading others to misjudge the child and family. Parents often feel blamed or criticised, adding to their stress. Communication disorders can make school difficult, as children may be unable to participate or ask for help. This can hinder their learning and lead to feelings of failure. Children with a speech and language disorder may lack confidence and feel frustration. Parents may feel helpless and anxious about their child’s struggles. The impact on family dynamics can be huge, as managing communication disorders can strain family relationships, with siblings feeling overlooked and parents grappling with guilt or exhaustion. Finding professionals who understand speech and language disorders can be tough, leaving families feeling isolated as they try to seek appropriate treatment and support.

All these challenges deeply affect both you and your child and a consistent, tailored and compassionate approach is key to helping your child reach their potential.

How Can You Support Your Child?

There are many strategies, tools, and therapies available to help children with speech and language disorders. These include:

• Speech and language therapy: A trained therapist can work with your child to improve specific skills, such as pronunciation, understanding, or social interaction.
• Communication tools: Alternative communication methods, like communications boards, picture cards, signing, or high-tech devices with speech-generating devices, can give children a way to express themselves.
• At-home activities: Simple things like reading together, using visual aids, or playing communication-based games can make a big difference. Using simple language, creating visual schedules, and turn-taking games are all techniques to reinforce therapy at home.
• School support: Teachers and schools can adapt lessons and provide additional help to ensure your child’s needs are met.
• Emotional support: Both you and your child might benefit from counselling or support groups to navigate the emotional side of these challenges.
• Remember, small steps can lead to big progress. The key is finding what works best for your child and sticking with it.

How Compensation Can Help Your Family

If your child’s speech or language disorder happened because of someone else’s mistake—for example, during birth or after an accident—they may be entitled to compensation. This can cover the cost of things like:

• Extra therapy sessions to speed up progress.
• Specialist equipment or technology to support communication.
• Educational support, such as one-to-one teaching or tailored learning plans.
• Home adaptations to create a quiet, distraction-free therapy space.
• Respite care or emotional support for your family.

Early intervention is key, and we work hard to secure interim payments of damages where possible to fund therapeutic support including speech and language therapy and family therapy. Compensation isn’t just about money; it’s about making sure your child has every chance to thrive and live a fulfilling life.

You’re Not Alone

Speech and language disorders can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face them alone. There’s a whole network of therapists, educators, and support groups ready to help you and your child. If you believe your child’s difficulties could have been prevented, seeking legal advice can also be an important step toward securing the support they need.

If you’d like to discuss your child’s situation, we’re here to help. With years of experience in child brain injury cases, we understand what you’re going through and are committed to supporting families every step of the way.