Should your child see a Speech-Language Pathologist for reading and writing?
When I tell people I specialize in working with school age students on reading and writing people will respond, “I thought you were a speech therapist?” I am! Which is why I am the perfect person to help your learner with reading and writing.
Expressive Language is Writing
Expressive language is the vocabulary, sentence structure, organization, story telling, sequence, cohesion, and everything that makes your child’s output understood by others. When children are young they will see a speech-language pathologist if they have trouble with any of these aspects of language. As children grow these deficits show up in their writing. Oral language turns into written language so a speech pathologist is the perfect person to help your child become a clear and cohesive writer, who uses complex sentences and descriptive vocabulary in their paragraphs and narratives.
Receptive Language is Reading Comprehension
Receptive language is understanding questions, directions, and stories. Throughout your child’s school years questions, directions, and stories are all written down. Students who have difficulty following a teacher's written directions or understanding questions would benefit from seeing an SLP. Specifically, if your child has trouble understanding and answering math word problems this could be a sign they need help with written language skills. Also, if your child can decode (e.g., sounds out unknown words and fluently reads sight words) but does not understand what they are reading they should see a speech-language pathologist.
Children are often first diagnosed with a language disorder in 3rd or 4th grade when teachers see difficulty with their written language. If your child shows any of these red flags please reach out to a speech language pathologist:
Child does not understand what they read
Child does not understand a teacher’s written directions
Child does not understand written questions including literacy response questions
Child does not understand math word problems
Child uses nonspecific language in written work (e.g., thing and stuff)
Child uses only simple sentences in writing
Child writes disorganized stories
Child does not write in complete sentences
If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s reading and writing skills please reach out to a speech-language pathologist, your child’s pediatrician, or school support team.
