Speech vs Language: What's the Difference?
When parents first reach out to a speech pathologist, one of the most common things we hear is:
"I think my child has a speech delay."
Sometimes that's exactly what's happening, but often, what families are noticing is actually a language difficulty rather than a speech difficulty.
Although we often use the words speech and language interchangeably, they're two different skills.
Understanding the difference can help you better understand your child's communication and know when to seek support.
What is speech?
Speech is how we say words.
It involves producing sounds clearly and coordinating the movements of our lips, tongue, teeth, jaw, and voice to communicate.
Some examples of speech difficulties may include:
Being difficult for others to understand
Leaving sounds out of words (e.g. saying "nake" instead of "snake")
Replacing one sound with another (e.g. saying "tat" instead of "cat")
Difficulty coordinating sounds and words when speaking
Stuttering or disruptions to the flow of speech
Children with speech difficulties often know exactly what they want to say, but have difficulty producing the words clearly.
What is language?
Language is how we understand and use words to communicate meaning.
Language can be divided into two areas:
Receptive language
This is your child's ability to understand language.
Examples include:
Following instructions
Understanding questions
Learning new vocabulary
Understanding concepts such as colours, sizes, locations, and time
Expressive language
This is your child's ability to use language to communicate.
Examples include:
Using words and sentences
Sharing ideas and experiences
Asking questions
Telling stories
Participating in conversations
Children with language difficulties may have trouble understanding information, expressing themselves, or both.
Can children have both speech and language difficulties?
Absolutely.
Many children experience challenges with both speech and language, while others may only have difficulties in one area.
For example:
A child with a speech difficulty may:
Understand everything you say
Use lots of words and sentences
Have great ideas to share
Be difficult to understand when speaking
A child with a language difficulty may:
Have clear speech sounds
Struggle to follow instructions
Find it difficult to answer questions
Have trouble finding words or putting sentences together
Every child looks different, which is why understanding the whole picture is so important.
How can parents support communication at home?
The good news is that communication skills can be supported in everyday moments.
Some simple ways to help include:
Follow your child's lead
Join in with activities they're already interested in and talk about what they're doing.
Slow down
Give your child extra time to process information and respond.
Keep language simple
Use short, meaningful phrases that match your child's current communication level.
Narrate everyday routines
Talk about what's happening throughout the day during meals, getting dressed, bath time, or while out and about.
Focus on connection first
Children learn best when they feel safe, supported, and engaged.
When should I seek support?
If you have concerns about your child's communication, trust your instincts.
You don't need to wait until someone tells you to seek support.
Speech pathologists can help identify your child's strengths, understand where they may need support, and create an individualised plan that works for your family.
At Spark Allied Health, we believe every child communicates differently. Our goal isn't to change who children are, but to support them to communicate in ways that feel meaningful, authentic, and empowering for them.
Sometimes all it takes is a small spark to help communication grow.
