A child is at an increased risk of developing a language learning disability if they exhibit what during preschool?

A child is at an increased risk of developing a language learning disability if they exhibit language delays during preschool. Language development is foundational for a child's overall communication skills and academic success. Children who experience delays in their ability to understand and use language may struggle significantly in reading and writing as they progress through school.

Language delays can manifest as difficulties in understanding spoken language, challenges with vocabulary development, trouble forming sentences, or issues with producing speech sounds. These early deficits can often correlate with more severe learning challenges later on, especially since preschool years are crucial for establishing these foundational skills.

High intelligence, physical delays, and social skills do not directly indicate a higher risk for language learning disabilities in the same way that language delays do. While they might present their own challenges, they are not as strongly correlated with language acquisition difficulties, making language delays a key indicator for potential future issues in language learning.