Understanding Receptive Language Disorder in Children

Parents and caregivers keep a close eye on their children’s language development. There are many language development milestones to help track a child’s speech progress; however, sometimes the concern is not what a child can say, but what they understand. A child who is struggling to understand language may have a receptive language delay. 

In the United States, approximately 1 in 14 children aged 3-17 has had a disorder related to voice, speech, or language in the past year.  At Great Speech, we are experts in virtual speech therapy for people of all ages, including children and toddlers with receptive language delay. We believe that understanding the issue is the first step towards helping your child catch up, connect with their peers, and thrive. Early intervention can be greatly beneficial for children with all types of speech and language disorders. You can read more about this topic in our blog titled Child Speech Development: How Early Can You Start Speech Therapy?

What is Receptive Language Delay? 

Receptive language refers to the ability to understand spoken (and sometimes written) language. This includes words, phrases, sentences, questions, and conversations. A child with a receptive language delay means that the child’s understanding of language is developing more slowly than expected for their age. They may hear the words and notice that the people are talking; however, they struggle with comprehending what is being said. 

Unlike expressive language delay, where a child understands but has trouble expressing themselves or using language correctly, a child with a receptive language delay can use language correctly, yet struggles to understand what others are saying to them. You can read more about the differences in our blog titled The Difference Between Expressive and Receptive Language Disorders. 

It is important to note that a delay is not necessarily a disorder. In some cases, children with a receptive language delay can catch up to their peers. They just need the proper support and speech therapy. In more severe cases, a deeper assessment may reveal a long-term language disorder. 

What causes Receptive Language Delay

There is no single cause of receptive language delay. Often, it is a combination of multiple factors. 

Some possible factors include:

• Hearing difficulties - If a child cannot hear words, directions, or conversation, their receptive language will be impacted. 
• There are some neurological or developmental differences that affect language processing. 
• Late or limited language exposure

Is Receptive Language Delay related to autism

This is a commonly asked question. Yes, there can be a relationship between autism and receptive language delay; however, having a receptive language delay does not necessarily mean that your child also has autism. 

Because receptive language delay can impact social communication, it can be mistaken for autism. Many children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) show a combination of difficulties with both expressive and receptive language. 

Signs of Receptive Language Delay

Being able to recognize the signs of receptive language delay is key to getting the right support early. Here are some of the common indicators by age:

Toddlers and Preschoolers

• Difficulty following simple one-step directions.
• Struggles to respond when called by name
• Appears to ignore being spoken to
• Limited understanding of new vocabulary and concepts
• Seeming to zone out when others are speaking (especially in groups or noisy situations)
• Trouble pointing to or identifying familiar objects when named
• Requiring frequent reminders to “look at me”, “listen”, or “wait”
• May appear defiant or uncooperative due to not understanding the request

School-age Children

• Struggles with following multi-step instructions
• Trouble understanding class discussion
• Issues with reading comprehension
• Misses information when their teacher gives verbal instructions. They may appear not to be listening, although their hearing is fine. 
• Often asks “what” or to repeat the questions/comment.
• Difficulty understanding non-literal language, such as sarcasm 
• Has trouble with complex vocabulary
• Problems with age-appropriate comprehension tasks

If you notice a pattern of these behaviors, it is worth further investigation. If you would like to read further into this topic, the American Academy of Family Physicians has a thorough list of child developmental milestones and risk factors for language delays (including receptive language delay) HERE. 

How can I tell if my child has Receptive Language Delay

As a parent or caregiver, you play a key role in identifying if your child has a receptive language delay. 

Things that you can check/observe:

• Hearing Screening  - Undetected hearing issues can be similar to a receptive language delay. 
• Check age-appropriate developmental language and communication milestones.
• Observe - When you speak to your child, do they seem attentive or off/distracted? When you ask them to do something, do they respond appropriately or act confused? In a group or noisy setting, do they appear withdrawn? Do they struggle to follow instructions that involve multiple words/instructions? 
• Check with their caregivers/teachers. Do they seem to comprehend what's happening in class/daycare? Do they need things to be repeated regularly? Are they struggling compared to their peers? 

If any of the above are a concern, we advise that you schedule an evaluation with a speech-language pathologist (SLP). At Great Speech, that first call is free! We offer our services virtually and have many experienced SLPs trained in language disorders and delays, such as receptive language delay. 

Does speech therapy help Receptive Language Delay

Speech therapy is the most effective intervention for children with a receptive language delay. If you think that your child may be struggling, it's best to seek guidance early, as it will give a greater probability of success in overcoming the delay. 

When you Book an Appointment with Great Speech, the first call is free! After a thorough virtual evaluation, you will be matched with one of our many highly qualified speech therapists, and a treatment plan will be developed. This plan will match the child’s unique struggles as well as their individual speech and communication goals. As our speech therapy model is entirely virtual, families can easily be involved. Scheduling time is flexible, and there is no need to travel. Each speech therapy plan is unique, but most of our programs consist of 12-week modules that include two 30-minute sessions per week.

Clients with insurance only pay an average of $18 per session! If you are concerned about your child’s language development, don’t wait any longer. We would be honored to work alongside you and your child to improve their communication and language skills.