Language comprehension is the ability to understand spoken and written language, making it essential for learning, communication, and academic success. Strong comprehension helps children follow directions, engage in conversations, and understand what they read. When these skills are delayed or impaired, children may face issues with both spoken and written communication.

1. What Is Language Comprehension?
Language comprehension is the ability to understand spoken and written language, making
it essential for learning, communication, and academic success. Strong comprehension helps
children follow directions, engage in conversations, and understand what they read. When
these skills are delayed or impaired, children may face issues with both spoken and written
communication.
Without strong comprehension, children may struggle to decode words, interpret sentences,
and connect ideas, which can impact their confidence and academic progress. Fortunately,
these skills can improve with the right support and intervention, creating a foundation for
future success.
What Happens When Language
Comprehension Is Impaired?
When children struggle with comprehending language, they may have difficulty following
directions, grasping new concepts, or understanding conversations. These challenges can
point to Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), a condition that affects a child’s ability to
process and use language effectively. Children with DLD may experience difficulty with
vocabulary, sentence structure, and connecting spoken and written language. It’s important
to note that DLD does not reflect a child’s intelligence—many children with DLD are capable
but need support to develop their language skills.
In many cases, having difficulty understanding spoken and written language is not
immediately apparent. Children may appear to follow conversations but miss key details or
struggle with complex language. This can affect their ability to keep up with classroom
discussions, retain new information, and participate fully in academic and social settings.
Recognizing Signs of Comprehending Language Challenges
Identifying these difficulties early is essential for providing the right support. Common signs
include:
●​ Difficulty following multi-step instructions
●​ Trouble answering questions or retelling stories
●​ Limited vocabulary and difficulty expressing thoughts clearly
●​ Challenges understanding complex sentences or abstract concepts
●​ Struggles with reading comprehension despite being able to decode words
When these challenges persist, they may indicate an underlying language disorder. A
professional evaluation can help identify the best course of action for support.

2. How Challenges Understanding Language
Relates to Language and Reading Disorders
DLD and reading disorders often overlap because both involve difficulties with processing
and using language. Children with DLD may struggle to understand spoken language,
making reading comprehension more difficult. Similarly, children with reading disorders,
such as dyslexia, have trouble decoding words, which affects their ability to extract meaning
from text. A reading disorder diagnosis helps identify these challenges and guides
intervention strategies.
Because a strong understanding of language is necessary for reading success, children with
DLD are at a higher risk of developing reading disorders. Without a solid grasp of spoken
language, it becomes harder for them to decode, read fluently, and understand written text.
Pursuing a reading disorder diagnosis from a professional can help children receive support
to strengthen their reading and language skills.
The Role of SLPs in Identifying Learning
Challenges
A speech-language pathologist (SLP) plays a critical role in evaluating and diagnosing DLD
and related reading disorders. Through educational assessments, SLPs assess a child’s
phonological awareness, vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension skills to develop a
complete understanding of their language abilities. These evaluations uncover the root
causes of understanding language challenges and guide the creation of effective support
strategies.
SLPs also evaluate how well a child understands spoken language, processes verbal
information, and connects language to written text. This thorough approach identifies areas
of difficulty and provides personalized recommendations to address a child’s unique needs.
Why Early Identification and Intervention Matters
Early identification of DLD and language comprehension challenges allows children to
receive targeted support that strengthens essential skills and lays the foundation for
long-term success. Structured literacy programs and language-based approaches can
improve comprehension, helping children build the skills needed for academic achievement.
A formal diagnosis may also lead to classroom accommodations, such as modified
assignments, extra time on tests, or specialized support that helps children fully engage in
their learning environment. Even if these challenges are identified later in a child’s life,
targeted strategies can still help children improve their reading and comprehension skills.

3. Insightful Evaluations With Educational
Inspiration
At Educational Inspiration, we offer detailed educational assessments that give families a
deeper understanding of their child’s language and reading abilities. Led by Nicole Power, a
certified speech-language pathologist and reading specialist, our evaluations combine
testing, family input, and clinical observations to uncover challenges and provide tailored
recommendations.
If you’re ready to explore how an evaluation could support your child’s success, contact us
today to schedule a consultation.