05/11/2026
Speech, language, and communication are connected - but they are not the same thing.
Understanding the difference can help parents and caregivers better understand what a child may be working on in therapy and how to support them at home.
👄 SPEECH = how we SAY sounds and words
💬 LANGUAGE = how we UNDERSTAND and USE words/ideas
👥 COMMUNICATION = how we SHARE messages with others
A child can have difficulty in one area, or across multiple areas.
For example:
• A child may know exactly what they want to say, but have difficulty producing sounds clearly (speech).
• A child may speak clearly, but have trouble understanding directions or putting sentences together (language).
• A child may use gestures, AAC, facial expressions, words, or sounds to communicate their message (communication).
Every child communicates differently. All forms of communication matter. 💛