Parent Language Concerns

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Many parents struggle with what to look for when they suspect their child has a receptive language delay (how well a child understands and remembers what is said) and/or expressive language delay (what the child is able to say and how it is said). Listed below are some warning signs that might help you decide if your child requires further evaluation:

Receptive Language:

1- Not responding to their name

A child should be receptive to his name at an early age (between 12 and 18 months). Meaning a parent or caregiver should not repeatedly call a child’s name to get his attention unless there is something very interesting going on that the child is focused on at the time.

2-Objects are more interesting than people

A child should be more interested in how to gain reactions from others than an actual object itself.  A lack of interest in people could mean a lack of interest in communicating.  

3-Not showing interest in books

Even if a child is not able to sit through an entire book, he should at least show an interest in the concept of reading.  When given a book, he should demonstrate how to hold it and turn the pages.  It is also important to note the types of books that interest a child.  If a child shows more interest in picture books or books using one word, he could possibly have difficulty with processing auditory information

4-Difficulty with reading comprehension

If a child is unable to answer questions about a short story he may have a language delay and need the services of a speech-language pathologist.

5-Difficulty having conversations and forming relationships with others

It is important to note that as a child gets older, conversations become more in-depth, which can become more difficult for a child with receptive language delays. 

6-Forgetting information

A child with receptive language delays may appear lazy or forgetful when it comes to completing instructed tasks.  However, this child may be having difficulty with understanding and remembering the tasks presented to him.  He may require the information be presented in a different way.

7-Not understanding

A child may act out due to not understanding what others are saying. 

8-Difficulty following directions

Not only remembering what do to, but remembering in what order to do it can be hard for a child with receptive language delays. When presented with too much information, he might be overwhelmed and can show signs of copying others, pretending to know what to do when he doesn’t, or acting out in order to avoid being embarrassed or calling attention to their issue.

Expressive Language:

1-Will not initiate conversations and reply to questions

This may also look like the child is just shy.  It is important that this sign not be overlooked if there is a question about other possible delays, seen in present family members/past family members, other people have voiced concerns, or it's becoming a long phase. 

2-Overgeneralizing names 

This means that a child has one name for a lot of people. For example, the label/name of "Mommy" is everyone. The child has a name for something that has many types; for example, all drinks may be “juice.” An older child may not be able to name the object.  For example, scissors might be “those things you use to cut with.”

3-Talking in circles

A child should be able to tell a somewhat complete story by 6 or 7 with decent sequential order.  If a child is unable to tell a story or it is unclear what the child is talking about, it may be a sign of an expressive language delay.

4-Difficulty expressing certain names

Extended & long time span of difficulties saying his name, important family member names

5-Difficulty constructing sentences

Some examples of this include: the words may have no endings to show plurals (Five cat sleep), lack of possessives (Rachel dog is nice), or incorrect past tense verbs (She walk to the park yesterday).  Some words may be left off a sentence completely.  Please note by the age of four, a child should be able to complete full sentences with mostly proper grammar.

All of these language concerns should be resolved by a certain age range. Please contact us to find out if your child is meeting those developmental age milestones.