You might have recently heard something like this from your child’s teacher:
- “We have some concerns about their receptive language”
- “They’re having trouble expressing their ideas”
- “Their speech isn’t always clear”
Hearing this can feel overwhelming. You might think, “Are they just being difficult? Or is there really something going on?”
As a speech pathologist, I hear this a lot from parents — and what teachers notice is often the first sign that a child could benefit from support.
Understanding language: receptive vs expressive
Language is about how we understand and use words to communicate. It’s usually split into two main areas:
Receptive language (understanding):
This is your child’s ability to understand what is being said. It includes:
- Following instructions
- Understanding questions
- Making sense of what they hear in the classroom
If a child is struggling with receptive language, you might notice they need instructions repeated, copy others instead of doing tasks independently, or pause a lot during conversations.
Expressive language (using language):
This is how your child shares their thoughts and ideas. It includes:
- Using words and sentences
- Explaining things
- Answering questions
- Telling stories
Difficulties here might look like using short sentences, saying “I don’t know” often, or struggling to retell events.
Speech: the difference from language
Speech is about how clearly your child produces sounds.
Teachers might notice concerns like:
- “They’re hard to understand”
- “Some sounds aren’t clear”
- “Other children sometimes can’t understand them”
So a simple way to remember it:
- Language = understanding and using words
- Speech = saying the sounds clearly
Some children have difficulties with one, some with both.
Looking deeper: why difficulties happen
At Write to Speak, we don’t just look at what your child finds difficult - we explore why.
For children with speech difficulties, this can include factors like:
- How the oral muscles are working
- Breathing patterns and mouth breathing
- Sleep quality
- Airway issues
This is where orofacial myology comes in. Mouth breathing, tongue posture, and airway challenges can affect:
- How speech sounds are produced
- Oral muscle strength and coordination
- Overall development
If we notice any of these factors, I can recommend follow-up with ENTs or other allied health professionals to make sure everything is addressed.
Comprehensive assessments
At Write to Speak, we complete thorough language and speech assessments to identify:
- Receptive and expressive language difficulties
- Speech sound difficulties
- Literacy skills (reading and writing)
From there, we create a clear picture of what your child needs, so any interventions target the underlying issues, not just the surface difficulties.
Next steps
If your child’s teacher has raised concerns about speech or language, it’s a positive first step - it means early support is possible.
The best thing you can do next is to call me to talk about your child and what the next steps might be. I can recommend which assessments will be most helpful, explain what they involve, and guide you on how to support your child moving forward.
Getting the right assessment and support early can make a real difference in your child’s confidence, communication, and participation at school and home.
Call today to discuss your child and find the right next steps.
