Language

Language is a complex, structured system of communication and is the primary method of human communication. Language is commonly divided into two major categories: receptive language and expressive language. 

Expressive language is the ability to use language. When we think of expressive language, we think about how we use words and then put these words together to form sentences that are grammatically correct. Children who have expressive language impairments may have more difficulty asking questions, naming objects and actions, using age-appropriate vocabulary, using grammatically correct sentences, and using word forms (prefixes and suffixes) correctly. 

Receptive language is the ability to understand or comprehend language. A child’s ability to listen and follow verbal directions (e.g., “Put on your shirt”) is an example of receptive language. Children who have receptive language impairments may have trouble answering questions, following directions, understanding what is said to them, pointing at named objects, and understanding prepositions.



Language development can vary greatly between children. If you have concerns about your child’s development, please reach out to a speech-language pathologist for an evaluation.