Understanding Alexithymia and Language Skills in Children: Implications for Assessment and Intervention

Purpose: This article reviews the construct of alexithymia and its relationship to language impairment. Method: The article includes a review of the literature on emotional competence, trauma effects, alexithymia, and language impairment; summarizes tools to assess alexithymia; and provides an intervention framework. Implications: Understanding the relationship of emotional competence and language impairment may provide a new perspective for speech-language pathologists who are serving children with language and socioemotional impairments.