Alalia is a pathological condition characterized by the absence of speech or significant impairments in speech development in children despite intact hearing and normal intellectual abilities. Alalia can present in different ways, and its two main types are motor and sensory alalia.
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Motor alalia (also known as aphasia) is characterized by the child having difficulties with forming and pronouncing words, as well as with organizing correct sentences. For example, the child may make errors in the pronunciation of sounds or be unable to express their thoughts in words.
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Sensory alalia is characterized by an inability to understand speech addressed to the child. This means that even if the child’s speech apparatus functions normally, they cannot grasp the meaning of words and sentences directed to them.
Alalia can be caused by various factors, such as genetic abnormalities, injuries, infections, or other pathological processes in the brain. It is important to identify alalia and begin treatment as early as possible in order to help the child develop communication and speech skills.
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