Understanding Receptive vs. Expressive Language Delays

If your child is struggling with communication, it can be hard to know exactly what's going on — and where to start. One of the first things speech therapists assess is whether the issue lies with receptive language, expressive language, or both.

Here’s a quick parent-friendly breakdown to help you understand the difference:

What Is Receptive Language?

This refers to how well your child understands what’s being said. It includes:

• Following directions

• Understanding questions

• Recognizing words and concepts

If your child has a receptive language delay, they may seem like they’re “not listening” — when they’re actually having trouble processing the information.

What Is Expressive Language?

This involves how your child communicates. It includes:

• Vocabulary use

• Forming sentences

• Telling stories or expressing needs

A child with expressive delays might understand everything but struggle to speak clearly or find the right words.

How Therapy Helps

At Darling Pediatric Therapy, our speech-language pathologists assess both receptive and expressive skills to build a therapy plan tailored to your child’s unique communication profile. We use play-based strategies, modeling, and parent coaching to support progress in a natural, engaging way.