Recognizing Language Delays
Behaviors to look for in the classroom: 1. Inattentiveness, particularly when you are giving instructions. 2. Difficulty with sequencing during manual activities or during paper and pencil activities. 3. Inability to express thoughts on a regular basis, to a degree inconsistent with demonstrated or assumed potential. 4. Difficulty getting ideas across to children in a work or play group, where other students are expressing dissatisfaction with the child's communication style. 5. "Class Clown" behavior in situations where disruption masks an inability to perform or to pay attention. 6. Extreme forgetfulness, even in situations of obvious importance to the child--particularly in situations that occur often or on a regular basis. 7. Lack of communication with the teacher or with peers, which can often be misinterpreted as natural reticence or quietness. 8. Coping Behaviors where students have established a set of verbal signals to substitute for oral language. 9. Lack of progress on instructional assessments, particularly in areas of sequencing, recalling details, and general comprehension. 10. Withdrawal or exclusion from group activities requiring discussion, cooperation, planning or dependence on members carrying out a task or job. 11. Self-expressed frustration with school tasks or even with the ability to learn. The set of behaviors labeled as "poor self-concept" often gives a clue that a communication disorder might be involved. 12. Disjointed conversation style, to a degree unusual for age and development level. If you are concerned a student may have a language delay, please refer for a full speech and language evaluation. |