Later Language

Holistic Speech Pathology - Later Language - Perth based speech pathology support language complexity for older children

Language Skills for 4-5 Years

During kindergarten and pre-primary, children move from “early talkers” to confident communicators. Rich, structured learning environments provide new opportunities for language to develop in more complex ways. During this time, children typically start to:

  • Use longer sentences, with new words and more complex grammar
  • Follow instructions with multiple steps
  • Ask and answer more detailed questions that include ‘why’ and ‘how’
  • Use language to socialise
  • Build awareness of sounds in words

Developmental milestones can be used as a general guide to understand your child’s language development.

Language Skills for 6+ Years

Language is central to learning in the primary school years. Children with strong language foundations are better equipped to read, write, participate in group work, express their ideas confidently and manage the social world of school.

From the first year of school, children’s language skills become increasingly complex as they move from learning to communicate to using language as a tool for thinking, learning and social interaction. During this time, children understand longer instructions, use detailed sentences, retell stories with structure, and begin to use language for reasoning, negotiating and solving problems.

In later primary years, vocabulary expands rapidly, and children develop stronger grammar, inferential understanding, and the ability to understand humour, non-literal language and subject-specific vocabulary. As they enter secondary school, language skills continue to grow in sophistication — enabling them to interpret abstract ideas, build arguments, follow multi-step learning tasks and express increasingly complex thoughts in both spoken and written form.

Holistic Speech Pathology - Later Language - Primary school language skills communication
Holistic Speech Pathology - Later Language - Foundation skills for older children language and literacy

What is Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)?

DLD is diagnosed by a speech pathologist when language difficulties are persistent, significant and have functional impact. DLD is considered a hidden condition that affects approximately 2 children out of every classroom of 30. DLD affects children, adolescents and adults and can look different at each stage of a person’s life. Key facts about DLD can be found here in many different languages.

If you are concerned about your child’s ability to follow instructions, answer questions, use a wide range of words or express themselves effectively, an assessment is recommended sooner rather than later.

Holistic Speech Pathology offers comprehensive assessment of language abilities in children and adolescents. We support bilingual and multilingual speakers and recognise the importance of language development across all languages.

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Frequently Asked Questions

These are the common questions we receive. If you have any further questions not covered here, please contact us.

Language difficulty means a child is having challenges with language right now. Difficulties can co-occur with other developmental challenges or diagnoses such as hearing impairment, Autism or ADHD). Sometimes difficulties can be temporary and improve with the right support. DLD is a specific diagnosis used when difficulties are ongoing and not explained by another condition. Children with DLD need longer-term speech pathology support.

DLD is considered an invisible condition as the symptoms can be subtle and awareness of the disorder is still developing.

Research indicates that 1 in 14 children in Australia has DLD, which is approximately 2 children out of every classroom of 30.

Children may have ongoing challenges with following instructions, answering questions, speaking in fully formed sentences or using a range of words to express themselves fully.

Have concerns about your child’s speech, language, literacy or fluency?

Start with a consultation to learn what the next steps are.

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