Language

 At The Speech Collab., we support children up to 12 years of age with a wide range of language needs. Our Speech Pathologists assess and treat difficulties in understanding and using language, personalising therapy to each child’s developmental stage.

Receptive Language

Receptive language refers to a child’s ability to understand the language they hear. This includes understanding words, sentences, questions, instructions, and concepts. Strong receptive language skills help children follow directions, make sense of information, understand stories, and participate successfully at home, in the classroom, and in social interactions.

Difficulties with receptive language may look like:

• Trouble following instructions 
• Difficulty understanding questions
• Limited understanding of vocabulary
• Challenges keeping up in conversations or classroom activities
• Appearing not to listen or respond  

Supporting receptive language early helps build a strong foundation for communication, learning, and social development.

Expressive Language 

Expressive language refers to a child’s ability to use words, sentences, gestures, and grammar to communicate their thoughts, needs, and ideas. It includes choosing the right words, putting them together correctly, using appropriate grammar, and organising information clearly when speaking.

Difficulties with expressive language may look like:

• Limited vocabulary or using vague words 
• Short or incomplete sentences
• Incorrect grammar (e.g., verb tenses, pronouns)
• Difficulty expressing ideas clearly or telling stories
• Trouble finding the right words  

Strong expressive language skills help children participate in conversations, share ideas, succeed in school tasks, and build confidence in communication. Early support can make a significant difference in long-term language development.

Early Language  

Early language refers to the foundational communication skills children develop from infancy through the preschool years. These skills include using gestures, sounds, single words, simple phrases, and early sentences to communicate needs, share ideas, and interact with others. Early language also involves understanding words, following simple instructions, engaging in play, and taking turns in communication.

Difficulties with early language may look like:

• Limited use of words for their age
• Challenges combining words into short phrases
• Difficulty understanding simple instructions
• Limited play skills or difficulty engaging with others
• Reduced use of gestures such as pointing, waving, or showing 

Strong early language skills set the foundation for later speech, vocabulary, grammar, social communication, and early literacy. Early support is highly beneficial and can positively influence long-term communication development.

School Aged Language and Grammar 

School-aged language refers to the communication skills children need to understand, learn, and communicate effectively in the classroom and daily life. This includes listening comprehension, following multi-step instructions, understanding new vocabulary, answering questions, and making sense of more complex spoken and written information.

Grammar is a key part of school-aged language. It involves using correct sentence structure, verb tenses, pronouns, plurals, conjunctions, and word order to communicate clearly and accurately. As children grow, grammatical expectations increase, and strong grammar skills become essential for reading, writing, and participating in class discussions.

Difficulties in school-aged language and grammar may look like:

• Trouble understanding classroom instructions
• Difficulty retelling stories or explaining ideas
• Incorrect use of grammar or sentence structure
• Limited vocabulary or difficulty learning new words
• Challenges with reading comprehension and written expression  

Supporting school-aged language and grammar helps children succeed academically, communicate confidently, and fully participate in learning and social environments.