Explain language disorder and the school plan to parents — CASC communication station

Open and agenda-set. Name time; invite priorities (is it autism, did two languages cause this, will he ever talk well, does he need medicine). Validate worry without catastrophising. [1]

Explain formulation. Your child is having trouble learning and using language — the words he understands and the sentences he can say — more than we expect for his age. This is different from simply being naughty or not listening. Many children have language difficulties; it is a common developmental problem. We use names like language disorder or developmental language disorder when the difficulties are clear and affect everyday communication or learning, and we have checked for other explanations.[1][2]

Autism differential. Autism involves social communication differences and restricted or repetitive behaviours/interests. From what we know so far, we do not see those restricted patterns, so autism is not our leading label — but we always keep an open mind if new concerns appear. Social (pragmatic) communication disorder is a different label for social-use problems and is not used when autism criteria are met.[5]

Bilingualism. Using two languages at home does not cause language disorder. Keep speaking the language of your heart at home; it supports family bonds and identity. We assess skills carefully across languages.[1][2]

Plan. (1) Confirm hearing. (2) Speech-language therapy is the main treatment — evidence supports therapy for many speech and language difficulties. (3) Preschool: short instructions, show as well as tell, visual supports, patience with frustration. (4) If stuttering features persist, SLP may discuss programmes such as Lidcombe for preschool fluency. (5) There is no medicine that fixes the core language problem; we treat other conditions like ADHD or anxiety only if they are clearly present and impairing.[3][4]

Prognosis. Some late talkers catch up; others need longer support, including for reading later. Early help and supportive adults improve outcomes. Agree written points, SLP referral, and review date.[6]