LANGUAGE DELAYS

A language delay occurs when a child demonstrates typically developing language patterns but begins later or develops language more slowly than other children of the same age.

Children with language delays are much more likely to have learning difficulties later—mainly with respect to literacy (reading/writing). Children with language delays may have difficulty following directions, smaller vocabularies, difficulty using complete sentences or correct grammar, working independently and may become easily frustrated.

Children with language delays may also have difficulty learning the relationship between letters and sounds, discriminating between sounds, learning sight words, spelling, poor fluency in oral reading, difficulty forming letters and words on paper, trouble organizing thoughts on paper, and difficulty understanding what they read.