Language Comprehension

Language Comprehension or Receptive Language refers to the ability comprehend and process verbal (spoken), and nonverbal (written, gestural) language. Receptive language includes skills such as following directions, understanding gestures, identifying vocabulary and basic concepts, and answering questions.

Early Signs and Symptoms of Difficulty with Receptive Language:

• “Late Talker”
• Difficulty progressing play skills to those of peers (i.e., not using imaginative play)
• Frequent use of echolalia (repeating back words or phrases either immediately or at a later time)
• Difficulty in following directions (although routine directions may be intact – i.e., “Go get your baba”)
• Inappropriate or off-target responses to “wh” questions – difficulty with conversational skills
• Use of re-auditorization (repeating back a question first and then responding to it)
• Difficulty responding appropriately to questions
• Does not attend to spoken language – gets distracted, often feel you are repeating yourself
• May appear to have poor listening skills
• Frequent use of jargon (sounds like “unintelligible speech”) or made-up words in sentences
• Using “memorized” phrases and sentences
• May need additional time to process information
• Has difficulty remembering information presented orally