Communication makes the world go around. Relationships with family, friends, and in business, all thrive on the use of effective communication skills.

We communicate our thoughts, needs and wants by using language in a variety of forms, such as speaking, writing, using eye contact and facial expression, or through sign language and gestural systems.

Not all children will develop speech and language skills as expected and this may affect their ability to communicate with others. Difficulties with speech and language can range from mild difficulties with producing speech sounds clearly, to severe and long-term difficulties with understanding or using language.
Difficulties in being able to understand and process language effectively are known as Receptive Language difficulties. These may present as problems with:

• attending to spoken or written information
• following instructions
• keeping up with conversations

Expressive Language difficulty is used to describe difficulties which relate to the ability to use language to communicate, and may present as problems with:

• finding the right words to use in a conversation
• recounting events, or giving descriptions
• using sentences with correct word order and appropriate grammar

Pragmatics refers to the use language in social situations. Children with pragmatic or social communication difficulties may appear to lack awareness of what the other person needs to know in a conversation. They may have problems with:

• interpreting information and instructions
• using appropriate language for the given context
• taking turns in conversation
• staying on the topic of conversation
• providing eye contact
• understanding social rules in everyday situations
• understanding emotions and displaying empathy for others
• using and understanding humour

Language difficulties which are not associated with any other difficulty or disorder are known as Specific Language difficulties.