What are the common

features of language delay?

a. Late to talk and first words do not appear by the age

of 15-18 months.
b. The child gets their first words but then does not go
on to develop new words quickly.
c. By two years of age, the child is saying less than 50
words and is not using any two word combinations.
d. The child’s language sounds immature for their age.
 What are the common
features of language delay?

e. Difficulties attending at group time at kindergarten or school.

f. The very young child may have difficulties with eye contact,
attending to activities and to speech and using sounds and gestures.
g. Difficulty answering questions.
h. Difficulty sequencing words together in sentences.
 What are the common
features of language delay?

i. Difficulty reading and writing.

j. Difficulty getting their message across.
k. Uses incorrect grammar.
 Common
Difficulties often
(but not always)
experienced by
those with a
Language Delay
a. If expressive language delay only, difficulty getting

across ideas and thoughts.

b. If receptive language delay only, difficulties

understanding instructions and questions.

c. Difficulties accessing the school curriculum.

d. Difficulties interacting with peers.

e. Sensory processing.
f. Poor planning and sequencing.
g. Poor working memory.
h. Poor attention and concentration.
i. Poor written communication in a classroom
environment.
j. Poor organizational skills.
k. Difficulties reading and spelling.
l. Poor reading comprehension.
 What are some common causes
of language delay?

Hearing Impairment
Oral impairment
Autism
a short frenulum
Intellectual disability
Several psychosocial issues
Management Strategies that Support the
Child with a Language Delay
a. Set up an individualized plan with parents/carers
b. Provide the child with strategies to manage situations when they don’t
understand.
c. Liaison between health professions and educational staff to provide
information to be incorporated into an education plan and
implementing ideas/ suggestions/ activities
d. Use fun play-based activities or games to help motivate the child
to learn.
e. Use simple and concise information.
f. Use visuals to supplement auditory information.
g. Provide extra time to complete tasks.
h. Hanen ‘2 is For Talking’ language program.
i. Explain new vocabulary.
j. Expose child language in a variety of setting.
 SPEECH THERAPY

•Speech and Language Assessment •Communication

Strategies •Daily Activities •Step by Step goals
•Visual information •Step by step goals •Positive
reinforcement •Age-appropriate language •Multi-
sensory approach •Books •Alternative forms of
communication
If left untreated, the child with a language
delay may have difficulties with:

• following instructions
• vocabulary
• understanding jokes and figurative
language
• self-esteem and confidence
• bullying
• fine motor skills
• social isolation
• social communication
• academic performance
Thank you for listening!