How to Help Expressive and Receptive Speech Delay

Expressive and receptive language impairments occur in 3 to 5 percent of children. Expressive language impairments involve a difficulty expressing thoughts and feelings in written or spoken form, while receptive impairments involve difficulty understanding language. These impairments may occur alone, but often occur in conjunction with other conditions such as hearing impairment, disorders due to neurological damage, prenatal exposure to drugs or alcohol and cleft palate. Severely impoverished environments can also cause language impairments. Children with language disorders are referred to speech-language pathologists for treatment. However, caregivers and other professionals working with these children can use similar strategies to help improve language skills.

Instructions

• 1

  Present the child with items for which the child lacks vocabulary and label them for a clinician/parent-directed approach. Speech-language assessment will reveal these areas of weakness. For example, the child may have limited vocabulary for household items. Present him with a dollhouse with appliances, clothes, dishes and furniture. Say the names of each item and describe what it looks like and its purpose. Refrain from asking the child to label the items, however, praise him if he names them spontaneously. You may also use actual items from around the house.

• 2

  Present items for which the child lacks vocabulary and allow the child to play with them for a child-directed approach. As the child plays, describe what he does and the items he uses. This allows the child to direct the activity and the adult to model the appropriate vocabulary for the child. Praise the child for spontaneously using correct language.

• 3

  Read or sing a familiar book or song with the child. Once the child has overlearned the story or song, or is very familiar with it, begin changing it. Use the child's language limitations as the guide for changes. Ask the child to help you read the story using opposites, changing the tense to present or switch the characters from boys to girls to change the pronouns. For example, recite "Little Miss Muffett" in the present tense or sing "If You're Happy and You Know It" using opposites such as "If You're Mad and You Know It."

• 4

  Change the child's daily routine as if you are making a mistake. Allow the child to inform you of the mistake and how to correct it. For example, if the child is getting ready for bed, get out his play clothes and shoes and start combing his hair or set his dinner on the table without a drink. Change stories and songs such as "Little Blue Riding Hood" and wait for the child to inform you of the mistake and suggest corrections.