Early screening for language delay in children
Children learn to speak naturally, picking up language through a mix of exposure, imitation and practice. For some children, however, things do not go as expected and they develop a language delay. To help parents spot a language delay early, we offer an online screening questionnaire.
Updated on , a 4-minute read.
On this page
Why does early identification matter?
It is very simple: the earlier a delay is spotted, the sooner you can act, and the better the chances of catching up.
Are you a parent or an early years professional who suspects that a child has a language delay? Fill in this online questionnaire: it is quick and reliable. In 5 minutes and 24 questions, you will know whether there is cause for concern or whether, on the contrary, everything is developing normally.
What if the questionnaire suggests a possible language delay?
In that case, see a professional as soon as possible: a speech and language therapist can carry out a fuller assessment.
What we can do at the Tomatis centre
Once a speech and language therapist has carried out a full assessment and confirmed the language delay, our audio-psycho-phonology consultant can step in.
The Tomatis method is a highly effective complement to traditional speech therapy.
The Tomatis method, developed by Dr Alfred Tomatis, trains the muscles of the ear. It can help improve a child's ability to hear and process sounds, which is an essential part of language development. By using specific sound frequencies to stimulate the ear, our consultant can help children with language development problems improve their listening and sound-analysis skills.
Has a speech and language therapist detected and confirmed a language delay? Get in touch today and book a consultation with our specialist. We will offer you a personalised listening programme to complement your child's care.
Checklist for your results
If you have taken the online questionnaire and want to interpret your results, you can refer to the table below.
The stages of language development
Children acquire language in several stages. The first is the pre-linguistic stage, which begins at birth and lasts until roughly 12 to 18 months. During this stage, children develop the ability to produce and recognise sounds, and to communicate without words, through gestures and facial expressions.
The next stage is the single-word stage, from about 18 months to 2 years. Children begin to use words to communicate and understand a limited number of words. They start to build a small vocabulary, usually around fifty words, and experiment with putting words together to make short phrases.
The two-word stage begins at around 2 years and lasts until 3. At this point, children start combining words into short expressions and sentences, such as “mummy go” or “me juice”.
The telegraphic speech stage begins at around 3 and lasts until 4. Children use more words and phrases, and their grammar becomes more complex. They use more pronouns, articles and prepositions, and begin to form simple questions and negatives.
The final stage is the full sentence stage, which begins at around 4 and continues into adolescence. Children's grammar grows more and more complex, and they start to use a wide range of vocabulary and sentence structures. They also become more aware of the social and practical side of language, such as taking turns in a conversation, and they begin to understand more abstract ideas like idioms and figurative language.
Encouraging language learning
Encouraging children's language learning starts with a language-rich environment. This means that parents and carers should talk with the child often and in varied ways, using a wide range of vocabulary and sentence structures. Reading to children is also an excellent way to support language learning, as it introduces them to new words and ideas. Parents can also use strategies such as naming objects, asking open questions and giving simple, clear explanations to help children develop their language skills.
Identifying and addressing language delay
Language delay can have various causes, including hearing loss, autism and developmental delay. Parents and carers should know the typical milestones of language development and seek professional help if their child is not reaching them. A speech and language therapist can assess the child's language skills, identify any delay and provide the right support.
In conclusion, children acquire language through a mix of exposure, imitation and practice. It is important for parents, educators and speech therapists to understand the stages of language development, ways to encourage language learning, and how to identify and address language delay. With the right environment, support and guidance, children can develop strong language skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
In their own words
“Kevin was very receptive, even though classical music wasn't really his favourite kind of music.”
“This is the result of your support and your method, which really took a weight off my mind and helped Hakim move forward and gain confidence in himself.”
“My dad and my friends tell me I've become more mature, that I express myself much better, that my questions are more thought through.”