Language Difficulties

Language difficulties involve trouble with understanding others (receptive language) or sharing thoughts, ideas, and feelings (expressive language). If someone has expressive language difficulty, they might find it hard to put words together into sentences, use limited vocabulary, or struggle to use language in socially appropriate ways. On the other hand, receptive language difficulty means having trouble understanding what others say, which can affect following instructions, answering questions, or comprehending stories.

Receptive Language (understanding)

Receptive language is how we take in and understand the words we hear or read. It's like the brain's way of processing the language "input" from conversations, stories, or instructions. For instance, when a child can listen and act on the command "put on your shoes," it shows they have good receptive language skills. Normally, kids get the hang of understanding language before they start speaking much themselves. But, if a child finds it hard to grasp what people are saying, they might be facing challenges with their receptive language abilities.

Kids who find it tough to understand language might have trouble with tasks such as:

Following what someone tells them to do
Getting the meaning behind gestures or body language
Responding to questions
Recognizing and naming objects or pictures they see
Understanding what they read
Grasping the storyline of a book or a tale

Receptive language grows through various experiences and interactions. It's shaped by things like the amount and type of language a child is exposed to daily. Kids who are around lots of talking, who take part in conversations, and who are read to often tend to develop stronger understanding skills. This includes hearing from different people, engaging in back-and-forth chats, and enjoying stories and books together.

Book Now

Expressive Language (speaking)

Expressive language is the way we share our thoughts, ideas, and feelings with others, essentially the "output" side of communication. This includes everything from speaking and making gestures to writing. For example, a child expressing what they want for lunch or telling a story about their day showcases their expressive language abilities. Generally, after children start to understand language, they begin to use words and sentences to communicate. However, if a child struggles to find the right words, put sentences together, or use language appropriately in social situations, they might be experiencing expressive language difficulties.

Challenges with expressive language can manifest as:

Difficulty picking the right words to say what they mean
Trouble putting words together into clear sentences
Hesitation or difficulty in telling stories or relaying information
Making grammatical errors more often than is typical for their age
Limited vocabulary compared to peers

The development of expressive language is influenced by a child's interactions and experiences. Encouragement from caregivers to talk about their experiences, feelings, and ideas, as well as opportunities to engage in diverse conversations, can significantly boost a child's ability to express themselves. Reading to children and involving them in storytelling or play that stimulates their imagination are also great ways to enrich their expressive language skills.

Book Now