Speech Therapy for Language Delays and Disorders in Perth

Understanding language and using language

Language skills are usually split into two areas. A child may have difficulty with one or both.

Receptive language (understanding)

This is how well your child understands words, sentences, questions and instructions. Children with receptive language difficulties may seem not to listen, when really they haven't understood what was asked.

Expressive language (using words)

This is how your child puts words together to share ideas, ask questions and explain things. Children with expressive language difficulties may use short sentences, mix up grammar or struggle to find the word they want.

Language delay or language disorder?

A language delay means a child is meeting the usual milestones, just at a slower pace than expected. Around 1 in 4 children start school with a language delay, which can make school tasks, communicating and being understood by others harder. With therapy, many of these children catch up.

A language disorder is different. It's a persistent condition that needs a careful assessment to diagnose, and it can continue into adulthood. When there's no other known cause, such as hearing loss or autism, it's called Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). DLD affects around 1 in 14 children, or about two in every classroom, yet many parents have never heard of it.

An assessment helps work out what's going on for your child, so therapy can focus on the right skills.

Signs your child may have a language difficulty

At home

• Trouble following instructions, especially ones with more than one step

• Short or simple sentences compared with other children the same age

• Grammar mistakes that continue, such as "him goed" or "me want"

• Difficulty finding the right word, or using "thing" and "stuff" a lot

• Frustration or meltdowns when they can't get their message across

At school

• Difficulty following classroom instructions or keeping up with discussions

• Trouble retelling a story or explaining what happened in order

• Struggling with written work, even when their ideas are good

• Being described as distracted or not listening

How speech therapy helps with language

Therapy starts with an assessment of your child's understanding and use of language. From there, I set goals with you that matter in your child's everyday life, whether that's following instructions at school, telling you about their day or joining in with friends.

Sessions are built around activities your child enjoys. Younger children often learn through play and books, while older children may work on skills linked to what they're doing in class. You'll also get practical strategies to use during daily routines, so progress continues between sessions.

With your permission, I'm happy to work with your child's teacher too, and you'll be copied in on any updates.

Questions about language delays

Is my child just not listening?

Sometimes a child who seems not to listen is actually finding it hard to understand. Long instructions, unfamiliar words or fast-paced conversation can be difficult to follow for children with receptive language difficulties. If you've noticed this often, particularly alongside other signs, an assessment can help show whether language is part of the picture.

Does learning two languages cause a language delay?

No. Children can learn two or more languages without it causing a delay, and keeping your home language is good for your child. A bilingual child can still have a language difficulty, though. If it shows up in both languages, it's worth having it checked by a speech pathologist.

What's the difference between DLD and autism?

DLD is a language difficulty with no other known cause. Autism affects social communication and behaviour more broadly, and language difficulties can be one part of it. Some children have both. I can assess your child's language skills and let you know if a referral for further assessment might be helpful.