Language
What is expressive language?
To put it simply, expressive language is talking. This is your child’s ability to join words to form sentences using the correct vocabulary and grammar. Expressive language is different to speech sounds and can be easily confused when listening to your child. Speech sounds are the way your child pronounces sounds in their words. Expressive language difficulties can affect your child’s ability to get their message across using spoken or written language.
Children can experience difficulties with their receptive language skills and expressive language skills and speech sound development or it can have difficulty in one of these areas only.
What are the symptoms of an expressive language delay?
The symptoms vary from child to child depending on their age. The following symptoms may indicate that your child is experiencing difficulties with their expressive language development:
Difficulties using correct grammar
Using short sentences for their age
Not combining words to form sentences
Using jargon
Unfamiliar people find it difficult to understand your child
Difficulties with holding a conversation
Difficulties with finding the right word in a conversation
Difficulties with retelling a story
Difficulties with writing a story
The causes of expressive language difficulties are often unknown.
A number of factors may be working together to contribute to your child’s difficulties. Family history is often the most likely indicator, although this may not always be the case. A child’s general cognitive development, exposure to language and personality can all impact on a child’s expressive language skills.
Children can experience difficulties with their receptive language skills and expressive language skills and speech sound development or it can have difficulty in one of these areas only.
What is receptive language
Receptive language is understanding. This is your child’s ability to understand the words they hear and/or read. Different receptive language skills are expected at different ages. The symptoms of children experiencing difficulties with their receptive language skills can be varied and will depend on their age.
What are the symptoms of a receptive language delay?
Some possible symptoms that may indicate your child is experiencing difficulties with their receptive language skills include:
Frustration
Difficulties following instructions
Difficulties understanding a complex sentence
Difficulties answering questions
Difficulties listening and responding in the classroom and at home
Behaviour difficulties
Repeating back what is said to them (echolalia)
Difficulties with making and keeping friends
The causes of receptive language difficulties are often unknown.
A number of factors may be working together to contribute to your child’s difficulties. Family history is often the most likely indicator, although this may not always be the case. A child’s general cognitive development, exposure to language and personality can all impact on a child’s receptive language skills.
What is language delay?
A language delay occurs when a child’s language is developing slower than other children of the same age, but it is following the typical pattern of development. For example, a child may be 4 years of age, but understanding and/or using language typical of a child who may be only 2.5 years of age.
Children with language delays, typically present with the following:
Are late talkers
Have limited vocabulary development
Find it difficult to express themselves
Do not understand well or experience difficulty following directions
