Activity for Expressive Language Delay
A child with expressive language delay fails to develop the use of speech that is typical for their age group. The primary issue seems to be a brain dysfunction that results in an inability to translate ideas into speech. They often use gestures to accompany their limited verbal expression.
Possible Signs
Children with expressive language delay may exhibit some of the following characteristics: language skills that lag behind other children of the same age by at least one year, the inability to follow simple directions and/or failure to reach typical milestones for language development. They may have slow or hard to understand speech after three years of age.
Interventions
As a first step, consult a pediatrician if there is a concern about a language delay. They will perform a hearing test and developmental assessment. If there are concerns regarding the results, a referral will be made to an early childhood intervention program, for children birth to three years old or the school district, for children over three years old. An evaluation will be done and if necessary, treatment can be done by a speech therapist. The speech therapist will give parents ideas for things they can do at home to help the child.
Activity For Expressive Language Delay
A simple yet effective activity to promote language skills is to show a child everyday objects (or pictures of objects) such as a spoon, a comb, a toothbrush, a telephone or a cup. Have the child name the object. If he has difficulty, tell him the word and repeat that word as many as 12 to 18 times over the course of several minutes. Next ask the child use it. If he has difficulty, tell him, in simple language, how the object is used. To reinforce learning, use the word or words often in conversation and ask use it several times. Continue this with one to three objects until the child can name them and explain how it is used on a consistent basis.
Tags: Activity Expressive, Activity Expressive Language, Expressive Language Delay, language delay, three years