Language delay

A language delay is a type of communication disorder. It is a failure in children to develop language abilities on the usual age-appropriate for their developmental timetable. It is most common during the ages of 2 to 7 years and can sometimes continue into late childhood. A language delay can be receptive, expressive, or a combination of both. A receptive language deficit happens when child has difficulty in understanding language. An expressive language disorder happens when your child has difficulty communicating verbally.

Language delay may be primary or secondary. It is secondary if a child has another difficulty, which has impacted on their language skills, such as autism, hearing impairment, global developmental delay. When a language delay is primary there will be no other difficulty identified