Language Development

What is a language delay or disorder?

A language delay is a type of communication disorder. Your child may have a language delay if they don’t meet the language developmental milestones for their age. Their language abilities may be developing at a slower rate than most children’s. They may have trouble expressing themselves or understanding others. Their delay may involve a combination of hearing, speech, and cognitive impairments. Language delays are very common.

A language disorder is a communication disorder that makes it difficult to use, process, and comprehend language. Children with language disorders might have trouble understanding what other people are saying and expressing their own needs or feelings.

There are two main types of language disorders. Understanding their differences is vital to getting your child the help they need. 

• Expressive language disorder: Children with an expressive language disorder might struggle with using new vocabulary, formulating a sentence, retelling stories, or verbally making their wants and needs known. They may become frustrated when they are not understood by an unfamiliar listener.
• Receptive language disorder: Children with a receptive language disorder have difficulty understanding and extracting meaning from words they hear. They may have trouble processing what others are saying, or interpreting written words. As a result, they may struggle to respond to questions, or follow verbal directions.

In some cases, children may experience a mix of both expressive and receptive language issues. These children have trouble both expressing themselves and understanding language.

What is the difference between speech and language disorders?

Language disorders are commonly confused with speech disorders. They are not the same. And while the differences can seem small and nuanced, it’s important to understand which your child may be experiencing. 

Speech refers to how we say different sounds and words. For example, stuttering is a common speech disorder as is mispronouncing the letter “r” or the sound “s.” Language, on the other hand, refers to how we use and understand different words to get our message across. 

How common are language disorders?

In the United States, between 6 and 8 million people have some form of language impairment. Approximately 3.3% of children between the ages of 3 and 17 have had a language disorder during the past 12 months. 

What are the signs and symptoms of a language disorder?

The signs and symptoms can vary depending on whether a child has a receptive or expressive language disorder. 

Children with a receptive language disorder may have trouble:

• Understanding and processing what people say

• Reading and learning new vocabulary

• Comprehending new concepts or ideas

• Following directions and organizing their thoughts

Children with an expressive language disorder may have trouble:

• Using words and sentences correctly; they may omit words from sentences, confuse word tenses, use only simple or short sentences, repeat words out of order, or use placeholders like “um” or “uh” when speaking

• Telling stories or having a conversation

• Asking questions or expressing their needs

• Singing songs or reciting poems

Many of these symptoms can also be a natural part of language development. However, if these issues don’t improve over time, it’s important to seek professional help.

How are language disorders diagnosed?

Early intervention is important for children with communication disorders. Treatment should typically begin during their toddler or preschool years. If you are concerned about your child’s language development, speak with your pediatrician. In many cases, your doctor will refer you to a specialist known as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), or Speech Therapist. They are the most qualified professionals to evaluate, diagnose, and treat language disorders. Your speech therapist will determine whether your child may be experiencing a delay in their language development, or whether there’s a more serious problem that could potentially continue into adulthood. 

To diagnose a language disorder, your speech therapist will conduct a standardized assessment (using formal and informal measures) to determine your child's ability to both understand and express language. They’ll evaluate how well your child performs age-appropriate communication tasks, including their vocabulary, sentence structure, ability to listen and follow directions, how well they can hold a conversation and answer questions, and other language activities.

If warranted, your Speech Pathologist will recommend speech therapy to help remediate your child’s delayed or disordered language skills. Schedule a FREE Consultation now