What Might Speech and Language Difficulties Look Like?

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Understanding Language

Understanding language involves making sense of the words, sentences and information we hear or read. Difficulties may become more noticeable as language becomes more complex with age.

You may notice that they:

  • Find it difficult to follow instructions, particularly those with several steps.

  • Frequently ask for information to be repeated or simplified.

  • Misunderstand questions or respond in a way that does not match what was asked.

  • Find concepts such as time, size, position or sequencing difficult.

  • Struggle to understand jokes, sarcasm, figurative language or implied meanings.

  • Have difficulty following conversations or understanding information in lessons.

Speech Sounds

Speech sound difficulties affect how clearly a child or young person produces sounds in words. Some children may continue to use speech patterns that would typically have reduced as they get older.

You may notice that they:

  • Are difficult for unfamiliar people to understand.

  • Leave sounds out of words or replace one sound with another.

  • Find certain sounds particularly difficult to pronounce.

  • Have speech that sounds younger than expected for their age.

  • Become frustrated when others do not understand them.

  • Avoid saying certain words or speaking in front of others.

Social Communication

Social communication involves using and understanding communication in interactions with other people. This can include conversation, non-verbal communication, understanding social situations and adapting communication to different people and settings.

You may notice that they:

  • Find it difficult to start, maintain or end conversations.

  • Struggle to take turns or stay with a shared topic.

  • Talk at length about topics of particular interest without noticing whether others are engaged.

  • Find it difficult to understand facial expressions, gestures, tone of voice or other non-verbal cues.

  • Misunderstand jokes, sarcasm, indirect language or social expectations.

  • Find changes in social situations or expectations difficult to manage.

  • Have difficulty making or maintaining friendships.

Recognising Speech, Language and Communication Difficulties

Speech and language difficulties can look very different from one child or young person to another. Some difficulties are more noticeable, such as speech sound difficulties or stammering, while others can be harder to recognise.

Language and communication difficulties are not always obvious. Some children and young people develop ways of coping or masking their difficulties, while others may show their difficulties through behaviours that can be misunderstood or attributed to something else. For example, a child who finds it difficult to understand language may appear distracted, reluctant to join in, or become frustrated when they cannot follow what is being said.

Being aware of the possible signs can help difficulties to be recognised earlier and ensure that children and young people receive the right support at the right time. The signs below are not intended as a diagnostic checklist, but may help you recognise when a child or young person could benefit from further advice or assessment.

Expressing Language

Expressive language is how we use words and sentences to communicate our thoughts, ideas and experiences. Difficulties can affect spoken or written language and may become less obvious as children get older.

You may notice that they:

  • Have difficulty finding the words they want to use.

  • Use shorter or less detailed sentences than expected for their age.

  • Find it difficult to explain events, tell a story or describe something clearly.

  • Give very brief answers or struggle to expand on their ideas.

  • Have difficulty organising what they want to say.

  • Find it difficult to explain their thoughts, opinions or reasoning.

  • Know what they want to say but struggle to put it into words.

Stammering and Fluency

Stammering affects the flow of speech and can include repetitions, prolongations or getting stuck on sounds or words. It can vary considerably from one child or young person to another.

You may notice that they:

  • Repeat sounds, parts of words or whole words.

  • Stretch sounds out or get stuck when trying to speak.

  • Use fillers such as “um” or “er” frequently.

  • Show tension or physical effort when speaking.

  • Avoid certain words, situations or speaking altogether.

  • Appear worried or frustrated about their speech.

Communication and Interaction

Some children and young people may have difficulties using communication effectively in everyday situations, even when they have developed a good vocabulary or clear speech.

You may notice that they:

  • Find it difficult to communicate their needs, feelings or ideas.

  • Become frustrated when they cannot make themselves understood.

  • Rely heavily on adults to interpret or support their communication.

  • Find it difficult to participate in group discussions or classroom activities.

  • Communicate differently depending on the situation or people around them.

  • Become overwhelmed when there is a lot of spoken language or social interaction.

Communication and Behaviour

Communication difficulties can sometimes be mistaken for behavioural difficulties. When a child or young person cannot understand what is expected, express how they feel, or communicate that something is difficult, this may be reflected in their behaviour.

You may notice:

  • Frustration or distress when communication breaks down.

  • Withdrawal or avoidance of situations involving communication.

  • Difficulty following routines or instructions that rely heavily on language.

  • Emotional responses when they cannot explain what they need or what is wrong.

  • Reluctance to participate in activities involving speaking, listening or social interaction.

It is important to remember that these signs can have many different causes, and seeing one or more of them does not necessarily mean that a child or young person has a speech, language or communication difficulty. If you have concerns about a child's communication, seeking advice from a Speech and Language Therapist can help you understand their individual strengths and areas where they may benefit from support