ACQUIRED DISORDER

​

Acquired disorders in children are usually the result of some form of trauma. That trauma can be either psychological or physical, and can lead to a range of challenges that are as unique as the individual.

In children, acquired disorders usually lead to a degeneration in communication or social skills, which can perpetuate other problems such as eating and sleep disorders. Each challenge needs to be tackled individually, but the overall cause of the problem also needs to be addressed.

​

For children who have suffered a psychological trauma, the process can be a slow and painful one. A feeling of isolation can lead to depression, and it is at this point where the support of both their family and specialist counsellors can turn the situation around. Encouraging the child to talk about their experiences in a safe environment is the first step to reaching a child who may have shut down their social interaction development, not just with their peers but with their family as well. It can be a worrying time for any parent, and this is why at Verbal Behaviour Consultants, we work not only with the child but also with the family.

​

There are some children or individuals who are unable to talk specifically about what has happened. In these cases we have specialist techniques to the help the child and family through this particular defence mechanism.

​

In many cases of psychological trauma, children or individuals may lose their language. This may be in the form of complete selective mutism or partial selective mutism. Again, we at VBC have specialist training and experience to deal with this particular struggle, encouraging the child to take those first steps back to more constructive communication.

​

If a child has suffered a physiological injury (often a head trauma) that has acted as a trigger for an acquired disorder, then we also work with the medical team treating the child. By developing the child’s communication skills, we help the child to express themselves fully, avoiding the possibility of the child becoming frustrated at an inability to communicate and, consequently, to feelings of isolation and depression. By working with medical professionals and the family, our counsellors can help each child take the steps along the road to recovery that they need to maximise their social and communication skills.

​

In cases where there is motivation to communicate we begin equipping the child and their family with the tools and knowledge they need to lead the child back to vocal conversation. In cases where there is no motivation to communicate, we teach this motivation using researched and proven interventions.

​

If you would like to know more about how VBC can help children with acquired disorders, contact us now in confidence and talk to one of our expert advisors. You can also browse our website for more information.