Which conversational behavior element would be most challenging for an adolescent with a language disorder?

• A. Recognizing personal space
• B. Taking turns
• C. Maintaining eye contact
• D. Asking questions

Answer: (B)

Taking turns is often a particularly challenging aspect of conversational behavior for adolescents with language disorders. This difficulty stems from several factors related to their communication skills. For individuals with language disorders, processing language can be more complex and slow, which may lead to difficulty in knowing when to interject in a conversation or how to appropriately respond in a timely manner.

During conversations, there is a social expectation to alternate between speaking and listening; however, those with language disorders might struggle with timing and understanding the cues that signal when it is their turn to speak. This can result in awkward pauses or interruptions, which can hinder communication flow and negatively affect social interactions.

Recognizing personal space, maintaining eye contact, and asking questions also present challenges, but these may not be as directly related to the mechanics of conversation itself as taking turns. The act of waiting for an appropriate opportunity to speak requires social awareness and the ability to process and respond to verbal cues, which can be particularly difficult for someone with a language disorder.