When Following Instructions or Expressing Ideas Is Hard
Does your child seem to zone out when you give instructions? Do they often do the wrong thing — not because they’re being difficult, but because they didn’t quite follow what was said? Do they struggle to find the right words, or find it hard to explain what they mean?
Difficulties with understanding or using language are among the most common reasons families seek speech pathology support, and they can affect children of all ages and backgrounds.
Paul Riley from Southern Cross Speech Pathology provides mobile language support for children across Wyndham, visiting your home, your child’s school, or another convenient location across Werribee, Point Cook, Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit, Truganina, Wyndham Vale, Manor Lakes and Williams Landing.
Understanding Language
Speech pathologists sometimes call this “receptive language” — the ability to take in and make sense of what is said or written. It includes:
Following instructions — particularly multi-step or complex ones.
Understanding questions — and knowing how to respond appropriately.
Making sense of stories and explanations — in conversation, in the classroom, and in texts.
Difficulties in this area can affect learning and behaviour — often without anyone realising language is at the root of the problem.
Expressing Ideas
“Expressive language” refers to the ability to communicate thoughts, ideas and feelings clearly. Difficulties may show up as:
Word-finding problems — knowing what you want to say but struggling to find the word.
Sentence structure — difficulty forming grammatical or well-organised sentences.
Telling stories or giving explanations — struggling to sequence ideas in a way others can follow.
Language in Multilingual Children
Children growing up with more than one language at home may show language patterns that reflect both languages — this is normal and expected. Paul has extensive experience working in culturally and linguistically diverse contexts and can help families understand what is typical for a multilingual child and what might benefit from support.
What Does Support Look Like?
Paul works with children and their families to build language skills in practical, everyday contexts. Therapy is tailored to each child’s profile and may include strategies for home and school to help them manage better across all settings.
Book a Language Assessment in Wyndham
Paul currently has immediate availability across Wyndham. Call 0494 102 108 or email info@southerncrossspeech.com.au to book today.