Language and Communication Delays

Understanding Language and Communication Delays

Language and communication delays affect how children understand, process, and express information. Some children may have difficulty using words, forming sentences, understanding directions, or communicating their needs. Others may rely on gestures, sounds, or visuals before spoken language develops. Communication delays can also include challenges with social communication, such as taking turns in conversation or reading social cues.

These delays do not define who your child is. They simply reflect the way your child is currently communicating with the world. With the right support, children can build meaningful communication skills that improve confidence, connection, and participation in daily routines.

At Saffron Therapy, we take a strengths-based, warm, and individualized approach. We meet your child where they are, follow their interests, and make communication feel natural and encouraging.

How Language and Communication Delays Affect Daily Life

Children with language or communication delays may experience:

• Difficulty expressing needs, feelings, or ideas
• Challenges understanding directions or questions
• Limited vocabulary compared to peers
• Speech that is unclear or hard to understand
• Reliance on gestures, sounds, or pointing
• Frustration when communication is difficult
• Challenges with social interactions or play
• Delays in conversational turn-taking or back-and-forth communication

These challenges can affect routines like mealtimes, play activities, school tasks, and peer interactions. Early support helps children build confidence and reduces frustration for both the child and the family.

How ABA Therapy Supports Children With Communication Delays

Applied Behavior Analysis helps children develop functional communication skills that make daily life easier and more meaningful. We use naturalistic teaching, play-based strategies, and evidence-based methods to support language growth.

ABA can help children with communication delays:

• Communicate wants and needs using words, gestures, or AAC
• Understand and follow directions
• Build vocabulary and sentence skills
• Strengthen back-and-forth communication
• Improve play skills and social interaction
• Reduce frustration by teaching clear ways to communicate
• Use communication skills in real routines at home, school, and in the community

Our goal is to teach communication strategies that work for your child’s unique learning style. This may include spoken language, visual supports, modeling, sign language, AAC devices, or a combination of methods.

Our Neurodiversity Affirming Approach

Saffron Therapy values every child’s communication style and honors all forms of expression. We focus on:

• Supporting communication in ways that feel natural and comfortable
• Encouraging spoken language while embracing alternative communication methods
• Teaching skills that reduce frustration and increase independence
• Following the child’s lead during play and learning
• Building confidence rather than correcting differences
• Partnering with families to create goals that feel meaningful

We never suppress harmless communication attempts. Instead, we build on your child’s strengths and help them find effective ways to express themselves.