Language is different from speech.
Language is made up of socially shared rules that include the following:
- What words mean
- (e.g., "star" can refer to a bright object in the night sky or a celebrity)
- How to make new words
- (e.g., friend, friendly, unfriendly)
- How to put words together
- (e.g., "Peg walked to the new store" rather than "Peg walk store new")
- What word combinations are best in what situations
- ("Would you mind moving your foot?" could quickly change to "Get off my foot, please!" if the first request did not produce results)
When a person has trouble understanding others (receptive language), or sharing thoughts, ideas, and feelings completely (expressive language), then he or she may have a language disorder.
Here are some examples of typical development:
(Source: ASHA)
Keep in mind that all children are different and that co-existing conditions may play a role in your child's language abilities. If you have concerns that your child's language abilities are affecting his/her ability in the classroom, feel free to inform your child's teacher or the school's SLPs.