Understanding and Using Language
Understanding and Using Language
Language delays in children can be concerning for parents and caregivers, but understanding the types, causes, and treatments can help manage these challenges effectively.
Types of Language Delays can include
- Receptive Language Delay: Difficulty understanding or processing language. Children may struggle to follow directions, understand questions, or grasp the meaning of words and sentences.
- Expressive Language Delay: Difficulty using language to express thoughts, needs, or ideas. This can include limited vocabulary, trouble forming sentences, and incorrect grammar.
- Mixed Receptive and Expressive Language Delay: Challenges in both understanding and using language, affecting overall communication skills.
- Pragmatic Language Difficulties: Difficulties with social communication skills such as initiating and maintaining conversations, using greetings, and turn-taking. Children with pragmatic language difficulties may have difficulty with interpreting nonverbal cues, maintaining eye contact, or navigating social contexts.
Sometimes difficulties may be present with higher level language skills, such as:
- Inferencing, reasoning or prediction – the ability to “read between the lines” and understand and information that is not explicitly stated but is implied.
- Complex vocabulary development – understanding and using academic level words, or words that can share different meanings depending upon context and that subtleties exist.
- Theory of mind – shared understanding of the thoughts, emotions and mental states of others’.
- Figurative language – interpreting expressions (idioms).
Language delays can result from various factors, including:
- Developmental Disorders: Children with Autism or Down syndrome often present language delays.
- Hearing Impairments: Difficulty hearing can impact language development as children may not hear words and sounds clearly.
- Environmental Factors: Limited exposure to language or social interactions can contribute to delays.
- Developmental Language Disorder: DLD has a genetic and biological basis, but there is not a single known cause.
Signs to Watch For
- By 12 months: Not using gestures like pointing or waving, or limited use of sounds.
- By 18 months: Preferring gestures over vocalizations to communicate, not imitating words.
- By 2 years: Limited vocabulary, limited sounds, or trouble following simple directions.
- By 3 years: Difficulty forming short sentences or being understood by others.
See our communication milestones for more info.
Treatment Options
Early intervention is crucial for addressing language delays. Treatment typically involves:
- Speech Therapy: A speech pathologist works with your child to improve their language skills through targeted strategies and activities.
- Hearing Test: Ensuring there are no hearing issues that could be affecting language development.
- Parental Involvement: Encouraging parents to engage in language-rich activities with their children, such as reading, talking, and playing.
With early and appropriate intervention, many children with language delays can make significant progress and develop effective communication skills.
If you have specific concerns about your child’s language development, consult with one of our speech pathologists for personalised guidance and support.
Feel free to contact us if you’re concerned or have any other questions!
Funding
At Kids and Cubs Clinic we accept the following funding options:
NDIS
- Self-managed funding
- Plan-managed funding
Private Health Insurance
- Please consult your private health provider to determine eligibility and rebate amounts.
Medicare
- Chronic Disease Management plan (previously known as Enhanced Primary Care plan)
- Please discuss Medicare funding options with your GP
