Speech vs. Language Disorders
Speech vs. Language: What’s the Difference?
Parents often wonder whether their child’s communication challenges are related to speech or language. While these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they refer to different aspects of communication. Understanding the distinction can help identify concerns early and seek the right support.
What Is Speech?
Speech refers to how sounds and words are physically produced. It involves:
Articulation: How a child pronounces sounds (e.g., saying "wabbit" instead of "rabbit" or "thun" instead of "sun").
Fluency: The rhythm and smoothness of speech (e.g., frequent pauses or stuttering).
Voice: The pitch, loudness, and quality of the child’s voice (e.g., sounding hoarse or too quiet).
If a child has difficulty with speech, they may be hard to understand or get frustrated when others don’t comprehend them.
What Is Language?
Language is the system of words, gestures, and symbols a child uses to understand and express thoughts. It includes:
Receptive Language: Understanding what others say (e.g., following directions, recognizing words).
Expressive Language: Using words, sentences, and gestures to communicate (e.g., forming sentences, telling stories).
Pragmatics: Social communication skills (e.g., taking turns in conversation, understanding humor).
A child with a language delay may have trouble learning new words, forming sentences, or following conversations.
To put it simply, we can think about speech as the way we move our mouths to make sounds and words, and language as the way we put use those words together to formulate thoughts and understand others.
How Speech Therapy Helps Children:
Speech therapy can improve a child’s ability to communicate effectively, boosting their confidence in school, social settings, and daily life. Our therapy sessions use fun, play-based activities to keep kids engaged while strengthening their speech and language skills.
If you’re concerned about your child’s communication development, we’re here to help! Contact us today to schedule an evaluation and take the first step toward clearer, more confident communication.