Signs of Speech, Language or Communication Difficulties
Written Language/Literacy
Speech pathologists target literacy skills such as understanding letters, sounds, and spelling rules. We also help improve written language including paragraph and essay writing, reading comprehension and problem solving skills.
Students who would benefit from speech pathology may:
skip over words when reading
guess words from the first sound
reverse letters when writing
answer reading comprehension questions based on pictures or their own knowledge rather than the text
Expressive Language
Expressive language is the use of words to construct sentences. Children may find it challenging to:
explain ideas
ask and answer questions
ask for help
tell stories
initiate and maintain conversations with peers
Receptive Language
Receptive language is being able to understand instructions, explanations and questions. Children may find it challenging to:
follow multi-step instructions
understand concepts (before/after, more/less)
work independently in class