Language Delays & Developmental Language Disorders
If you have questions about your child's language development, an assessment can help you understand their strengths, identify areas where support may be beneficial, and determine appropriate next steps. Book a free consultation and let's get started together.
When To Notice
Signs of a Language Delay or Language Disorder
Every child develops at their own pace. But a few patterns are worth a second look, especially if they hang around longer than expected.
- Few communication attempts by 12 months
- Few or no words by 18 months
- Not combining two words at age 2
- Difficulty following simple instruction
- Uses fewer words than expected
- Struggles to form full sentences
- Gets frustrated expressing thoughts
- Difficulty understanding or answering age-appropriate questions
These milestones are general guidance, not a diagnosis. Hearing should also be considered as a factor whenever language development is delayed.
Know the Difference
Language Delay vs. Language Disorder: What's the Difference?
These two terms get mixed up a lot, so here's the plain version.
Late Language Emergence
A young child is developing spoken language later than expected. Some children catch up, while others continue to experience language difficulties. An assessment and ongoing monitoring can help determine what support may be helpful.
Language Disorder
A child has ongoing difficulty understanding and/or using language in ways that affect everyday communication, learning, or participation. The nature and impact of these difficulties vary from child to child."
Neither one means something's wrong with your child. Both just tell us where to start.
Our Expertise
Understanding Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)
Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) affects how children understand and use language. With appropriate support, children can continue developing stronger communication skills, confidence, and participation across home, school, and community settings.
Expressive Language Disorder
Help your child express thoughts clearly, build stronger sentences, use words confidently, and communicate with less frustration.
Receptive Language Disorder
Support helps children understand language, follow directions, answer questions, and participate confidently at home and in the classroom.
Expressive Language Difficulties
Your child’s understanding is developing well, while speech needs extra support to build confidence and communication skills.
Receptive Language Difficulties
Support your child’s language development with playful therapy that builds understanding, listening skills, and confidence at their own pace.
The Social Side
DLD and Other Developmental Conditions
DLD is diagnosed when language difficulties aren't explained by another known biomedical condition.
Autism, Hearing Loss, or Intellectual Disability
May involve a language disorder tied to that condition.
Genetic Syndromes or Neurological Conditions
Language difficulties may occur alongside these diagnoses.
ADHD and Dyslexia
DLD often co-occurs with these, without one causing the other.
Motor and Speech Sound Difficulties
DLD can co-occur with coordination or speech sound challenges.
How We Help
Our Therapy Approach
We build every session around your child, not a workbook. Real toys, real games, real conversations, so children can practise communication through meaningful and engaging activities.
Our approach may include:
- Building vocabulary through play
- Practicing full sentences in real conversation
- Helping your child follow directions with less frustration
- Coaching parents and caregivers on responsive language strategies that can be used during everyday routines
Our pediatric speech therapy program is tailored to each child’s communication strengths and needs. Using evidence-based, family-centred care, we support vocabulary development, sentence formulation, language comprehension, social communication, and confidence through meaningful play and everyday interactions.
Your Journey Starts
What Happens During the Assessment
Understand your child’s communication needs through a supportive assessment that identifies challenges and creates a personalized therapy plan.
01
Parent Interviews
We get to know about your child’s communication history, development, strengths, challenges, and your goals for therapy.
02
Clinical Observation
We observe how your child communicates during natural interactions, play, and everyday activities.
03
Play-based Activities
We use engaging, age-appropriate activities to understand your child’s speech, language, and communication skills.
04
Communication Samples
We evaluate how your child uses language during real conversations and interactions.
05
Standardised Assessments When Appropriate
We may use evidence-based assessment tools to gain additional insight into your child’s communication abilities.
Expected Outcomes
What Progress Actually Looks Like
Progress looks different for every child. Depending on your child's individual goals, therapy may support growth in areas such as.
Understanding Questions and Directions
Participating in Classroom and Family Routines
Combining Words and Building Sentences
Sharing Experiences and Ideas
Expressing Needs and Preferences
Learning and Using New Vocabulary
Our Commitment
Why Families Choose Aria Integrated Care
- Registered Speech-Language Pathologists
- Speech-Language Pathology Assistants working under SLP supervision
- Neurodiversity-affirming, family-first care
- A plan built around your child, not a template
- Real strategies you can use between sessions
- Support figuring out what applies to your family
We collaborate with families, educators, and other healthcare professionals to support consistent communication strategies across environments.
Convenience Matters
Therapy Where Your Family Needs It
We make pediatric speech therapy accessible with in-home visits across Greater Vancouver and secure virtual sessions across British Columbia.
In-Home Therapy
Sessions happen right in your living room, with your child's own toys. It's comfortable, and it's easy for a sibling or partner to join in and learn too.
Virtual Therapy
Families anywhere in BC get the same expert care over a secure video call. No drive, no waiting room, no scrambling around nap time.
Quick Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about language delays, assessments, therapy, and how we support your child’s communication development.
01 What is Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)?
Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) affects how children understand and use language. It can impact vocabulary, sentence development, understanding, and everyday communication.
02What causes Developmental Language Disorder?
The exact cause of DLD is not always known. It is a neurodevelopmental difference that can affect how a child learns and processes language.
03 What's the difference between receptive and expressive language disorder?
Receptive means understanding language is the harder part. Expressive means putting thoughts into words is the harder part. Many kids have a bit of both, which is why an assessment matters before starting therapy.
04 How is DLD diagnosed?
DLD is identified through a comprehensive assessment that may include parent interviews, observation, language testing, and evaluation of how a child communicates in everyday situations.
05 At what age should I worry about a language delay?
If your child isn't babbling by 12 months, saying words by 18 months, or combining two words by 2, it's worth getting checked. Any concern is valid, even earlier.
06 Will my child grow out of it on their own?
Some delays close on their own with everyday support at home. A language disorder usually doesn't close without therapy, so it helps to know which one you're dealing with.
07Will my child always need speech therapy?
Every child’s needs are different. Many children make progress with personalized speech therapy and may need support for a shorter period or ongoing guidance depending on their communication goals.
08 Is a language disorder the same as autism?
No. DLD primarily affects understanding and/or using language, while autism is a broader neurodevelopmental difference that may involve communication, social interaction, sensory processing, interests, and patterns of behaviour. Some autistic children also have significant language difficulties, so the two can sometimes look similar. An SLP can assess communication skills, while an autism diagnosis requires an appropriate diagnostic assessment.
09 How long does speech therapy usually take to show results?
It depends on the child and what's going on. Some families notice small changes within weeks; others need a few months of steady work. We track progress and adjust the plan as we go.
10 Do you offer sessions in Greater Vancouver and across BC?
Yes. We come to your home across Greater Vancouver, and we offer virtual sessions anywhere in BC.
11Does raising my child bilingual cause a language disorder?
No. Learning more than one language does not cause DLD. A true language disorder will generally affect all of a child's languages, although the way it appears may differ across languages.
12 What happens in the first session?
We talk with you about your child, do a hands-on assessment, and walk you through what we found in plain language, no jargon.
13 Can therapy help if my child is nonspeaking or uses few words?
Yes. We build communication in whatever form works for your child, including gestures, pictures, or AAC devices, alongside spoken language goals.
Your Child's Voice Starts Here
Whether you have recently noticed a concern or your child has experienced ongoing language difficulties, an assessment can help you understand their communication profile and identify the most helpful next steps.