Articulation
A child may struggle to produce certain sounds correctly, such as saying “wun” instead of “run” or “wake” instead of “lake.”
Phonology
A child may have difficulty producing sound patterns accurately, such as leaving off ending sounds in words, omitting weak syllables, or simplifying consonant clusters (e.g., saying “lock” for “block”).
Stuttering
A child may experience difficulty speaking fluently, such as repeating parts of words, whole words, or phrases. Some children may also have challenges initiating speech.
Some children may have minimal or no functional speech due to neurological or congenital conditions, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), apraxia, or hearing loss. In these cases, alternative communication methods like sign language, picture systems, or augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices may be needed to support effective communication.
Types of Language Disorders
Receptive Language
Children with receptive language difficulties may struggle to understand words, their meanings, or how they relate to each other. They may also have trouble following directions or answering questions appropriately.
Expressive Language
Children with expressive language challenges may find it difficult to use language effectively to convey their thoughts and ideas. They may struggle with grammar, word order, or vocabulary.
Language Processing
A child with language processing issues may have difficulty attaching meaning to spoken information, making sense of it, or responding appropriately.
Pragmatic Language (Social Communication)
Pragmatic language difficulties can make it hard for a child to understand and use social skills in communication. They may struggle to interpret nonverbal cues, follow conversational norms, or determine what is appropriate to say or do in social interactions.