What is Language Delay?

• One in every 14 children in Australia is affected by a language disorder or delayed language skills 
• There are four stages of communication in a child’s development: inner language, receptive language, interactive language, and expressive language
• There is no single cause to language delay, but it does tend to run in families
• Language delay isn’t caused by a medical problem or lack of exposure to language
• Learning more than one language does not cause language delay

Difficulties are often picked up during childhood, although a teenager or adult can be diagnosed with language delay. Symptoms can include:

• struggle to find the words to express ideas
• have trouble organising sentences, having conversations or telling a story
• find it hard to understand words, follow instructions or answer questions
• not remember what someone has said
• have difficulty paying attention
• have difficulty reading and writing

References:

Speech & Language Development Australia Organisation

Children's Health