Pediatric Speech Therapy
Receptive and Expressive Language Disorders
Language has two sides: understanding it (receptive) and using it (expressive). Some children struggle with one, others with both. We identify exactly where the gap is and build a plan around it.
A receptive gap might look like a child who seems to ignore instructions, when really they didn't fully understand them. An expressive gap might look like a child who understands everything said to them but struggles to form the sentences to respond.
AGES
18 months to 12 years
SESSIONS
30-45 minutes
FORMAT
In-clinic or telepractice
Understanding the diagnosis
What Is a Receptive vs. Expressive Language Disorder?
Language breaks down into two connected but separate skill sets: understanding it (receptive language) and using it (expressive language). Researchers estimate that language disorders affect roughly 1 in 14 children, making it one of the most common childhood developmental conditions, and one of the most under-identified, since a child who is quiet or easygoing can be overlooked for years. A full evaluation is the only reliable way to tell receptive and expressive difficulties apart, since the outward signs can look similar.
Receptive Language Disorder
A difficulty comprehending spoken or written language, including words, gestures, and sentence structure. A child with a receptive disorder hears the words but struggles to process what they mean. It often looks like a child who isn't listening or is being defiant, when in reality they didn't fully understand what was said.
CHARACTERISTICS TO WATCH FOR
- • Tunes out or seems not to listen when spoken to
- • Asks for directions or questions to be repeated
- • Struggles to follow multi-step directions
- • Has trouble with jokes, sarcasm, or words with double meanings
- • Becomes easily confused or frustrated in conversation
- • Difficulty with reading comprehension and sequencing events
Expressive Language Disorder
A difficulty using language to share ideas, even when comprehension is intact. A child with an expressive disorder often has plenty to say but struggles to find the words or grammar to say it, and may replace words or full sentences with gestures.
CHARACTERISTICS TO WATCH FOR
- • Limited vocabulary compared to same-age peers
- • Shorter, simpler sentences and grammar mistakes
- • Trouble finding the right word mid-sentence
- • Difficulty describing or defining familiar words
- • Relies on gestures or pointing instead of words
- • Struggles to retell a story or organize a narrative
Many children have a mixed receptive-expressive language disorder, meaning both areas are affected at once. This is common, and it's part of why formal testing (rather than a wait-and-see approach) matters: early identification and intervention consistently lead to better long-term academic and social outcomes than waiting for a child to "grow out of it."
General guideposts
Vocabulary Milestones
Expressive vocabulary size by age, broken down by milestone, average, and above average development:
Milestone: what most children do (approx 90%)
Average: what 50% of children are able to do at a certain age
Above Average: what 25% of children are able to do at a certain age
General guidance only — every child develops differently. An evaluation gives you an answer specific to your child.
What to look for
Signs Your Child May Benefit
Our process
What to Expect
A language evaluation covering both understanding and expression
Individualized goals targeting the specific gaps we find
A mix of structured and play-based sessions to build real-world language use
Between sessions
How You Can Help at Home
- • Give directions one step at a time before adding more.
- • Expand on what your child says rather than correcting it ("dog run" → "yes, the dog is running!").
- • Ask open-ended questions instead of yes/no questions during daily routines.
Frequently asked
Common Questions
Appointments
Help your child understand and be understood.
Serving families in Calabasas · Agoura Hills · Woodland Hills · West Hills · Westlake Village · Tarzana · Encino · Malibu · Simi Valley · Thousand Oaks · Moorpark
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