Some children have what is called a Specific Language Impairment (SLI). This can affect both expressive and receptive language. An SLI has no obvious related cause such as hearing loss or learning difficulties. The condition appears in young children and is known to persist into adulthood, with some studies stating that as many of 7% of children could be having difficulties because of an SLI. Children who are late talkers and children with delayed expressive language may be showing signs of specific language impairment and many have co-occurring literacy skills difficulties. Unfortunately, for those children with no other difficulties they are sometimes seen as lazy, because in all other areas of development they appear to following normal milestones. Parents can help by taking their child to the speech and language therapist. The therapist can then give parents strategies and programs to build the child’s language skills.

Specific language impairment requires langauge assessment and language therapy from a qualified speech and language therapist / pathologist. There are many things parents can do to try and make it easier for their child to understand language, and develop their expressive skills.