Language and Learning Challenges in Adolescent Hearing Psychiatric Inpatients

Many hearing psychiatric inpatients have signicant language and learning challenges (Jaeger, Burns, Tigner, & Douglas, 1992). ese challenges interfere with their ability to use standard talk-and insight-oriented therapies. e majority of patients on the University of Massachusetts Medical Center (UMMC) Adolescent Continuing Care Units at Westborough State Hospital in Westborough, Massachusetts have such challenges. ese language and learning challenges range from moderate to severe and take a variety of forms. ey have many and overlapping causes such as genetic factors, chaotic upbringings, education deprivation, and medical and psychiatric symptoms.