What’s the Difference Between a Language Delay and a Language Disorder?
Alexis Irazoque, M.S., CCC-SLP
From your child’s very first word, watching them grow and develop their communication skills is one of the most exciting parts of being a parent.
But it’s not uncommon for children to struggle with language. Some have difficulty understanding what others are saying. Others find it hard to express their own thoughts, ideas, and feelings.
As a parent, this can be stressful. You may be asking yourself questions like, “Will my child grow out of it?” “Can they catch up on their own?” “Does my child need speech therapy?”
In this article, we address these questions by discussing the differences between a language delay and a language disorder, some common signs of language problems, and how to help your child.
What is language?
Language development refers to two things:
1. A child’s ability to learn and understand what’s said to them, which is called receptive language
2. A child’s ability to communicate verbally or nonverbally, which is called expressive language
What is a language delay?
When children don’t develop language at the expected rate, and don’t meet the milestones for their age, this is called a language delay. While there isn’t always a known cause, the most common causes of language delay include hearing loss, slow development, and intellectual disability.
Symptoms of language delay
A toddler with a language delay might have some of these symptoms:
12 months: Isn’t using gestures, such as pointing or waving goodbye
18 months: Has trouble imitating sounds; has a hard time understanding simple verbal requests
2 years: Imitates words or phrases but doesn’t say them on their own; can’t follow simple directions
What is a language disorder?
A language disorder is a type of communication disorder that makes it difficult to use, process, and comprehend language. Children with language disorders might have trouble understanding what other people are saying and expressing their own needs or feelings.
There are two main types of language disorders:
Expressive language disorder: Children with an expressive language disorder might struggle with using new words, organizing words into a sentence, retelling stories, or using words to express their wants and needs. This can be frustrating for children–they know what they want to say, but they can’t talk in understandable sentences.
Receptive language disorder: Children with a receptive language disorder have difficulty understanding the meaning of words they hear. They may have trouble grasping what others are saying, or interpreting written words. As a result, they may struggle to respond to questions, or they may respond in a way that doesn’t make sense.
In some cases, children may have a mix of both expressive and receptive language issues. These children have trouble both using and understanding language.
What are the signs of a language disorder?
Children with an expressive language disorder may have trouble using words and sentences correctly. They may leave out words from sentences, confuse word tenses, use only simple or short sentences, repeat words out of order, or use placeholders like “um” or “uh” when speaking.
Other signs of a language disorder include having trouble with:
Telling stories or having a conversation
Asking questions or expressing their needs
Singing songs or reciting poems
Signs of a receptive language disorder include trouble with:
Understanding and processing what people say
Reading and learning new vocabulary words
Comprehending new concepts or ideas
Following directions and organizing their thoughts
Many of these symptoms can be a natural part of language development. However, if these issues don’t improve over time, it’s important to talk with a speech therapist.
How do I know if my child has a language delay or disorder?
Unfortunately, there isn’t always a clear answer. Every child is different and meets milestones at different rates. However, the main difference between a language delay and a language disorder is this:
A child most likely has language delay if they continue to develop language skills in the expected order, just at a slower rate.
A child may have a language disorder if they still have a hard time gaining and using language skills by the time they’re in school, and these problems affect their ability to communicate.
To diagnose a language delay or disorder, an evaluation with a speech therapist is needed. The speech therapist will assess your child’s communication skills and develop a treatment plan that fits their individual needs.
5 ways to help your child with their language skills at home
Speech therapy is vital for children with language delays and disorders. But you may not realize the important role that you, as a caregiver, play in your child’s communication as well.
Here are 5 easy things you can try at home to help your child grow their communication skills.
1 Model new words and grammatically correct sentences for your child
Modeling simply means talking to your child to show them how we use language. Children learn best through hearing their caregivers speak to them!
2 Give your child choices
When you give your child a choice of answers to a question, it may help them answer better than with an open-ended question. For example, your child may be more likely to respond to a question like “Do you want pretzels or crackers?,” rather than “What do you want to eat?”
3 Use communication temptations
This technique involves “tempting” your child to communicate in some way. Toddlers are more likely to communicate when they’re motivated by something they see. Find a favorite toy, snack, or activity, and help them ask for it!
4 Engage your child in conversation
Even if your child isn’t talking, that’s OK! The point is to get your child paying attention to what you're saying. You can talk to your child and ask questions. Watch their eye contact and nonverbal communication to see if they’re learning to participate in the conversation with you.
5 Show sign language to your child and encourage them to use signs
When your child uses common, simple gestures, it makes it easier for you to understand what they want. That means less frustration for everyone! Using baby signs can also increase the bond you have with your child by making you more responsive to their needs.
Are you concerned about your child’s speech?
Because all children progress on their own timeline, it can be hard for parents to tell whether their toddler is just a “late talker” or would benefit from speech therapy.
If you have concerns about a language delay, don’t be afraid to ask for help. It’s been proven time and time again that early intervention makes a difference. Talk with your pediatrician, and consider contacting a speech therapist as well. They are trained in diagnosing and treating communication issues.
You can talk with a licensed speech therapist at Expressable in a free consultation call. Schedule one today–we’d be happy to answer your questions!
