Many things can signal that a child can benefit from kids’ speech therapy, but one of those things is Expressive Language Delay ( ELD). The term is a broad one, but it encompasses any diagnosis a speech pathologist might make for a child with a language problem.
Some children struggle to form sentences or use the correct vocabulary, while others may find it challenging to put words together in the right order. Given the differences in each language problem, the approach in kids’ speech therapy can be different for each child, with all methods customised to suit the help they need.
Children with an expressive language delay can require the intervention of a speech pathologist. An expert in speech can provide the help the child needs to pick up the skill they are missing or haven’t quite mastered. Rather than waiting to see if the child learns it on their own, early intervention by a speech therapist can offer a more direct approach.
What can Kids’ Speech Therapy Achieve?
The approach can depend on what a child is struggling with under the umbrella of an expressive language delay. A late talker doesn’t have an expressive language, so the focus, in that case, would be on increasing the ability to use language as a means of communication.
A child that struggles with organising their words into a logical sentence may see the benefit of sequencing games and activities that both indirectly and directly benefit how they link words together. Often, similar rules apply to other ELDs. Children can benefit from both kids’ speech therapy and activities to work on at home and in school.
How Do I Know if My Child Has an Expressive Language Delay?
Because ELD is a broad term for several speech and language problems, ELD can display itself in many ways. Selective mutism, not talking at all, problems with word sequences, a lack of adjectives and adverbs in speech, incorrect grammatical markers, and even issues with social skills can all be signs of an ELD that requires kids’ speech therapy.
Some people also notice that their children struggle to ask and answer questions, expand their vocabularies with new words, and use figurative language. As there are so many things that can highlight a possible issue, it’s worth talking to a speech pathologist or GP if you suspect any problems.
I Suspect an Expressive Language Delay, What Next?
Parents spend more time with their children than anyone else, but if it’s not the caregivers that can pick up on any potential problems, then teachers can, as well. Whether you or a teacher suspect an expressive language delay, it’s important to intervene. The sooner your child can get the help they need, the faster they can get their speech, language, and development back on track.
Talk to your child’s teachers about in-school kids’ speech therapy, or make an appointment with your GP for a referral. Either avenue can see your child looked after as they navigate a new world of speech and language.
