Parenting in today’s digital world comes with unprecedented access to information. Some of it’s helpful, some of it’s overwhelming, and much of it arrives before you even go looking for it. Between social media, targeted content, and well-meaning advice, parents are flooded with messages about what their child “should” be doing and when.
When it comes to speech and language development, this constant stream of information can quickly become confusing. It’s not uncommon for parents to feel unsure about what’s typical, what’s a cause for concern, and what different terms, like speech delay and language delay actually mean. As a speech-language pathologist, my goal here is to provide some clarity, so you can better understand these differences and feel more confident in supporting your child.
Speech and language are closely intertwined; however, they are two distinct areas of development. More often than not, services are referred to as “speech therapy” regardless of the specific skills being addressed. While speech and language delays can occur together, they can also exist independently of one another.
Complicating things even further, language delays can be broken down into different categories such as expressive language and receptive language. You may hear terms like “delay” and “disorder” used interchangeably. While there are clinical differences, both simply indicate that a child may need support in that area.
Let’s break these terms down:
Speech:
Speech refers to how the child produces sounds, in other words, how clearly they are able to say words. If your child has a speech delay, you may notice things like:
● Your child speaks often, but it’s hard to understand what they’re saying
● You can usually understand your child, but others have difficulty and may look to you to “translate”
● Your child substitutes certain sounds (for example, saying “tat” instead of “cat” or “wain” instead of “rain”)
● Your child enjoys talking, but their sounds seem mixed up or unclear, and you frequently need to ask them to repeat themselves
You may hear this referred to as: articulation disorder, phonological disorder, or speech-sound disorder. Speech delays/disorders can stem from a variety of origins, but the overall goal of therapy is to help the child produce sounds more accurately so their message can be understood.
One outlier is childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), which involves difficulty with motor planning (i.e. the brain knows what it wants to say, but has trouble planning and coordinating the movements needed for speech). While CAS still falls under the umbrella of speech, it typically requires a more specialized approach to therapy.
Language:
Language refers to how a child communicates or understands a message. When we think about language development, we are considering the content of what is being communicated versus how it is pronounced. Language can be broken down into two main areas:
Receptive Language: how well the child understands the content of what others are saying (for example - following directions, understanding questions, identifying objects when named)
Expressive Language: how the child expresses their wants/needs/thoughts/ideas (for example - telling a story, asking a question, retelling an experience)
Receptive and expressive language delays can exist at the same time or in isolation. If your child has a language delay, you may notice things like:
Receptive -
● Difficulty following directions (especially multi-step directions)
● Trouble understanding questions (for example: who, what, where, when, why)
● Inconsistency with responding when spoken to or when their name is called
● Difficulty identifying objects, pictures, body parts when named
Expressive -
● Using fewer words than expected for their age
● Difficulty putting words together into phrases or sentences
● Relying on gestures or pointing instead of words
● Difficulty telling a story or retelling past events
For younger children who are not yet talking, speech and expressive language can overlap. A child may not be using words due to difficulty producing sounds, difficulty using language, or a combination of both.
Understanding the difference between speech and language can be helpful, but if you’re still feeling unsure, you’re not expected to figure it out on your own. A speech-language pathologist can walk you through these differences during a consultation or evaluation and help you determine what, if anything, is going on.
If you have concerns about your child’s communication, it’s always okay to trust your instincts and seek out support. An evaluation can provide clarity, reassurance, and helpful next steps if needed.
Chatting Children Speech and Language Center provides individualized pediatric speech and language therapy for children from infancy through age 16. Our experienced therapists prioritize close collaboration with families and offer services in both our office and preschool settings. Our approach emphasizes thoughtful, individualized care to support each child’s unique needs. Learn more at www.chattingchildren.com or call 540-249-6221.
