A term we hear all the time in our referrals from nursery/school/parents is 'Speech Delay'. But when is a delay not a delay? And when is it actually language? Let's break it down.
What is speech?
The word 'speech' relates largely to pronunciation. It's about the sounds we are making and using, as well as the underlying knowledge we have of those sounds and how they go together to make words.
What is language?
Language relates to both understanding and use of language; that is to say words and sentences. It is about our vocaublary, ability to form sentences, knowledge of grammar and understanding of both concrete and abstract words. This also incorporates social language including understanding of idioms and sayings.
In typical development, children learn language before speech. Once we've identified what the child is finding tricky we need to consider:
'When is a delay not a delay...? When it's a disorder'.
Delay:
A delay implies that a child is acquiring speech and language skills at a slower rate compared to their peers but is following a typical developmental sequence. In other words, the individual is going through the same stages as their peers, but at a slower pace. This delay might be temporary, and with appropriate intervention, the individual can catch up to their peers.
Disoder:
A disorder suggests that the child's development is not following the expected pattern. Disorders can be more persistent and may require ongoing therapeutic intervention to address the specific challenges the child is facing.
Our job is to work out what is happening for your child, and support you in knowing when to act, and what to prioritise. If you have questions about your child or a child in your care, feel free to get in touch for more information and support.
