Understanding Language

Understanding language refers to the ability to make sense of spoken and written information. It is dependent upon a number of skills.

Children who may be experiencing difficulty in the area of understanding may also have problems with attention and listening skills and vocabulary development (see appropriate sections).

Children with difficulties with understanding may:

Need instructions to be given one to one
Need instructions to be repeated
Need support to join in group discussions
Engage in distracting behaviour, of self and others
Appear to follow instructions but are actually using visual cues such as, watching what others do in the classroom
Complete tasks inappropriately
Repeat instructions rather than carry them out
Have poor concentration
Need more time to respond
May try to hide their difficulties understanding e.g. watching other’s faces to try to guess the answer, changing the conversation topic
An older child may learn to read but not be able to understand what they have read
May have difficulties storing information and remembering instructions given