Language Development
Supporting children who need more time to develop their language skills. Whether your child is a late talker, has difficulty understanding language, or struggles to express their thoughts, our therapists provide evidence-based support tailored to your child’s stage and learning style.
Language Development
Supporting children who need more time to develop their language skills. Whether your child is a late talker, has difficulty understanding language, or struggles to express their thoughts, our therapists provide evidence-based support tailored to your child’s stage and learning style.
Understanding Language Development in Children
A language delay means a child’s language skills are developing more slowly than expected for their age. This can affect receptive language — understanding what others say — and expressive language — using words and sentences to communicate.
Some children are “late talkers” who catch up on their own. Others have persistent language difficulties that benefit from early, targeted support. An assessment helps clarify which path your child is on and what kind of support, if any, would be helpful.
Our therapists use a combination of play-based activities, naturalistic strategies, and parent coaching to help your child develop stronger language skills that carry over into everyday communication.
Signs Your Child May Have a Language Development Difficulty
For younger children (toddlers & preschoolers), you might find it helpful to seek support if your child:
Toddlers & preschoolers
- Not imitating words or sounds
- Not using many words by around 18 months old
- Not combining words into short phrases (e.g. “want milk”) by around 2 years old
- Difficulty following simple instructions (e.g. “give me the ball”) by around 2 years old
- Not asking simple questions (e.g. “what is that?”) by around 2 years old
- Difficulty expressing needs or ideas
- Limited vocabulary compared to peers
- Relying more on gestures than words
These are guidelines. If you have concerns at any age, a discovery call or assessment can provide clarity.
Our Approach
1
Assessment
We evaluate both receptive and expressive language using standardised tools and observation, in the context of your child’s communication environment.
2
Family-centred goals
Therapy targets are set around what matters most for your child’s daily life, learning, and social participation.
3
Play-based and naturalistic strategies
Especially for younger children, we embed language goals into play and daily routines.
4
Parent coaching
We teach you strategies to support language growth at home and in everyday interactions.
5
School collaboration
When helpful, we work with your child’s teachers to support language in the classroom.
6
Bilingual considerations
We assess and support language development across all languages your child uses, not just English.
FAQs
Is my child a “late talker” or is this a language delay?
Late talkers are children (typically 18–30 months) who have fewer words than expected but whose understanding and other developmental areas are on track. About 50–70% of late talkers catch up by age 3–4. An assessment helps determine whether your child is likely to catch up independently or would benefit from early support.
Does being bilingual cause language delays?
No. Bilingualism does not cause language delays. Bilingual children may have smaller vocabularies in each language individually, but their total vocabulary across both languages is typically comparable to monolingual peers. We assess language across all languages your child uses.
What’s the difference between a language delay and a language disorder?
A language delay means skills are developing in the typical sequence but more slowly. A language disorder (such as Developmental Language Disorder) means language difficulties are persistent and not explained by other factors. Assessment helps distinguish between the two, which affects therapy planning.
How can I support my child’s language at home?
Talk about what you’re doing during daily routines, read together regularly, follow your child’s interests in play, expand on what your child says, and give them time to respond. We’ll provide specific strategies tailored to your child during therapy. Children with language difficulties are also at higher risk for literacy challenges — learn more about our literacy support on our services page.
At what age should I seek help?
If your child isn’t using words by 18 months, isn’t combining words by 24 months, or you’re concerned at any age, it’s worth getting an assessment. Early intervention (before age 3) is particularly effective for language delays.
Concerned About Your Child’s Language?
Our speech therapists can assess your child’s language development and guide you on the best approach. Book a free discovery call to get started.
Our Specialists in This Area
Let's connect!
We'd love to have a free 15-minute chat with you to discuss any queries you may have. Think of it as a friendly strategy session to help you explore your child's communication development.