As children grow and develop, language plays a vital role in how they learn, form relationships, and express their thoughts and needs. For many families across Long Island, especially those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, it can be challenging to know whether a child’s language development is on track or if additional support may be needed.
This guide is designed to help families understand the important distinction between a language difference and a language disorder, and what steps to take if concerns arise.
What is a Language Difference?
A language difference refers to variations in speech and language that are influenced by a person’s cultural, regional, or linguistic background.
This includes children who:
-
Speak a language other than English at home (e.g., Spanish, Mandarin, Haitian Creole, etc.)
-
Are learning English as a second language (ELL/ESL students)
-
Use a regional dialect or variation (e.g., African American English, New York English)
These differences are not impairments. They are natural variations in language use and do not require speech-language therapy unless there is an additional concern related to how the child communicates in all languages they speak.
Example:
A child who speaks both Spanish and English might mix languages or use different grammatical patterns in English. This is typical for bilingual learners and not a sign of a disorder.
Examples of language differences:
-
A child who is bilingual and mixes two languages in a sentence (called code-switching)
-
A child who speaks a dialect like African American English or Caribbean English, where grammar and vocabulary may differ from Standard American English
-
A child who is learning English at school but speaks another language at home
A language difference does not interfere with a child’s ability to learn when given proper support and instruction in both languages. These children may speak or understand English differently than their peers, but their communication abilities are appropriate for their linguistic and cultural experience.
What is a Language Disorder?
A language disorder is when a child has difficulty understanding, processing, or expressing language — and these challenges cannot be explained by language exposure, cultural background, or learning a second language.
Language disorders can affect:
-
Receptive language: Trouble understanding what others say
-
Expressive language: Difficulty using words, sentences, or grammar to communicate thoughts
-
Pragmatic language: Challenges using language appropriately in social settings
Bilingualism is Not a Disorder:
Long Island is home to a rich, multilingual community. Children who grow up speaking more than one language are not at greater risk for language disorders. If a child has a true language disorder, it will be noticeable in all of the languages they use—not just in their second language. This is why it’s important to assess language skills across all environments and languages.
How to Tell the Difference
Distinguishing between a language difference and a disorder is complex. Trained speech-language pathologists (SLPs) use non-biased, culturally appropriate assessments that consider the child’s:
-
Home language environment
-
Exposure to English
-
Cultural background and dialect
-
Development in all spoken languages
Tips for Families
-
Continue speaking your home language—bilingualism supports cognitive, social, and academic growth.
-
Inform teachers and professionals about your child’s language exposure history.
-
Ensure any language evaluations are conducted by culturally competent SLPs who use interpreters or bilingual assessments when necessary.
-
Ask whether your child’s school provides bilingual special education services or ESL supports.
Checklist: When to Consider a Speech and Language Evaluation
-
Child is 2 years old and says fewer than 50 words or doesn’t combine words
-
Trouble following simple directions at age 3 or older
-
Difficulty naming objects or expressing thoughts clearly
-
Short or grammatically incorrect sentences beyond age 4
-
Frequent frustration when trying to speak or communicate
-
Communication difficulties noticed in both languages (home and school)
-
Delayed speech and language milestones compared to peers
-
Struggles to engage in back-and-forth conversations
-
Teachers or caregivers raise concerns about communication or academic struggles
Next Steps
If you have concerns about your child’s speech or language development, our team at Speech Therapy For All is here to help.
We offer free developmental screenings across Long Island to help families better understand their child’s communication skills.