Language
‘Language’ refers to the understanding and comprehension of the English language as well as ability to use the English language to appropriately express thoughts and ideas to others.
A Speech Pathology assessment may be recommended if your child is not performing the skills within the checklist by the corresponding ages:
1 year:
- Understands a variety of words (mum, dad, car, doggie).
- Saying first words
2 years:
- Joins 2 words together (mummy go & daddy car).
3 years:
- Uses 3-5 word sentences (mummy go shop).
- Has some use of present tense (jumping), past tense (walked), plurals (balls) and position words (in, on, under).
- Understands colours, sizes (big, long, small) and function (which one is for eating?).
- Follows instructions with two steps (get teddy and put him in bed).
- Can answer simple wh- questions (where is it? what is this? who has it?).
4 years:
- Uses sentences of 5 or more words with correct structure and grammar most of the time.
- Beginning to tell news and recall past events.
- Can answer more complex questions (why did this happen? what will happen next?).
5 years:
- Tells news and recalls past events in accurate sequence, problem solves and uses reasoning.
- Understands abstract concepts (before, after, when and except).
School Age:
- Produces various text-types (information report, narrative, procedure, exposition) with good language style, sequence, tense, conjunctions (and, then, because, so) and descriptive language.
- Uses specific vocabulary (not ‘thing’, ‘it’, ‘this’) and can make predictions and comprehend texts used in class.
- Understands verbal explanations and instructions given in class.
Standardised language assessments are available to assess the language skills of clients aged between 0-21 years. Results may be used to obtain funding to provide further assistance for the child at Preschool or School where applicable.
Feel free to contact Julia to discuss your individual needs.