Receptive Language | Speech Pathology Adelaide
Receptive language is an individual's ability to understand and process information through words and language. Challenges in this area can make it difficult to follow instructions at home or in educational settings.
At Thrive Health Therapies, we support individuals in developing receptive language skills to enhance their ability to communicate effectively with peers and adults, understand questions, and provide appropriate responses.
What is Receptive Language?
Receptive language refers to an individual's ability to understand words and language. This involves interpreting information from the environment, such as visual cues, sounds and words, concepts like size, shape, colour, and time, grammar, and written text.
The development of receptive language relies on foundational "building blocks," including attention and concentration, pre-language skills (e.g., non-verbal communication such as gestures, facial expressions, imitation, joint attention, and eye contact), social skills, and play skills.
Some individuals who struggle with understanding spoken language may appear to comprehend because they rely on picking up key words or interpreting visual cues and gestures from their surroundings.
If an individual's receptive language develops more slowly than expected for their age, this is referred to as a receptive language delay.
Why is Receptive Language Important?
Receptive language is a critical component of successful communication. Individuals with challenges in understanding language may struggle to follow instructions at home or in educational settings and may not respond appropriately to questions or requests.
In preschool or school environments, difficulties with receptive language can lead to attention and listening challenges, as understanding tasks and instructions may be harder. These challenges can make it difficult to participate in class activities or complete schoolwork without additional support.
Moreover, receptive language difficulties can affect expressive language, making it harder to convey thoughts accurately. This can impact participation in age-appropriate conversations with peers, potentially leading to self-esteem and confidence issues when an individual becomes aware that their skills differ from those of their peers.
Strong receptive language skills are essential for engaging in daily interactions, building relationships, and succeeding in academic and social settings.
What Might Difficulties with Receptive Language Look Like?
Individuals with receptive language difficulties may experience challenges in the following areas:
Understanding Spoken Instructions:
Struggling to follow verbal directions, especially if the instructions are lengthy or complex.
Example: Misunderstanding a multi-step request like, “Grab your coat, turn off the lights, and meet me by the car,” and completing only part of the task.Processing Information:
Difficulty keeping up with conversations, particularly in fast-paced or group settings, as they may take longer to interpret what is being said.
Example: Feeling overwhelmed or confused during a group discussion where multiple people are speaking quickly or interrupting each other.Misinterpreting Language:
Misunderstanding the meaning of words, phrases, or questions, leading to inappropriate or unrelated responses.
Example: Responding to “Can you pass me the salt?” with confusion, thinking it was a question about cooking rather than a simple request.Following Conversations:
Challenges in tracking discussions, particularly when the topic shifts or there are multiple speakers.
Example: Losing track of a conversation during a family meal or classroom discussion when the topic changes quickly.Listening for Key Details:
Trouble identifying the main points or important details in spoken or written language.
Example: Missing key details in instructions, such as a meeting time or a specific homework task, and focusing on less relevant information.Responding Appropriately:
Providing vague, incomplete, or unrelated answers to questions due to difficulty grasping the full meaning of the query.
Example: Answering “What did you eat for lunch?” with “I played outside” because they misunderstood the question.Engaging in Written Communication:
Difficulty understanding written instructions, signs, or complex text.
Example: Misinterpreting a worksheet’s instruction, such as “Circle the animals,” and circling unrelated items, or failing to follow step-by-step instructions in a work email.
These difficulties can vary depending on the individual’s age, environment, stress levels, or the complexity of the language they are processing. Identifying these challenges early can help provide tailored support and strategies to improve receptive language skills.
How Do Speech Pathologists Help with Receptive Language Delays?
We work with individuals and families to create specific, meaningful, and functional goals and strategies to support the development of receptive language skills. These goals are tailored to the individual’s interests and include home-based activities that can be incorporated into daily routines, such as mealtime, bath time, and story time.
As receptive language skills improve, we assist families and formal supports in implementing alternative communication methods, such as visual supports (pictures or symbols), signs, and gestures, to enhance understanding and communication.
When appropriate, we also work closely with teachers and educators, providing them with strategies and resources to support the individual’s participation in the educational setting and facilitate access to the curriculum.
How We Deliver Speech Pathology at Thrive Health Therapies
Thrive Health Therapies offers community-based, clinic-based, and telehealth speech pathology.
Community-Based Services: We provide community-based speech pathology in your home, school or kindergarten, or a location convenient to you throughout metropolitan Adelaide. Learn more about our service areas.
Clinic-Based Services: We provide clinic-based sessions at our Findon clinic.
Telehealth Services: We also offer comprehensive telehealth services, providing clients with convenient, video-based therapy consultations for those who may have difficulty travelling to our clinic or prefer the convenience of remote support.
Funding Options for Speech Pathology
We accept a variety of funding options, making augmentative and alternative communication therapy accessible for everyone:
Private Health Insurance
Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plans (GP Team Care Arrangements)
Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA)
Why Choose Our Speech Pathology Services?
No wait time: We can start working with paediatric or adult clients straight away!
Experienced: Our speech pathologists have extensive experience working with individuals of all ages.
Extensive Coverage in the community: We serve a large geographical area, providing speech therapy services across all of metropolitan Adelaide from Gawler to Aldinga. We see clients at home, in their school or kindergarten, or at a location convenient to them.
Clinic space: Our Findon clinic has been specially designed to be appropriate for a wide range of presentations and disabilities.
Individualised care: Every client receives a personalised therapy plan based on their unique needs and goals.
Neuroaffirming Practice: We provide compassionate and affirming services to support and empower neurodiverse individuals.
Multi-Disciplinary Approach: We offer a wide range of allied health services under one roof, allowing for a holistic approach to your health.
NDIS Registered: We are proudly registered with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Home Care Package (HCP) and Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP): We accept a variety of funding options, helping our clients access the support they need.
LGBTQIA+ friendly: We celebrate, value and include people of all backgrounds, genders, and sexualities, Our Findon clinic is a welcoming, safe and inclusive space for all LGBTQIA+ people and families.
FAQs About Receptive Language
If you can’t find an answer to your question, please contact our friendly team on 0474 248 081 or email enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com
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Receptive language is the ability to understand and process information communicated through words, gestures, and other forms of language. It involves interpreting meaning from spoken or written language, visual cues, and contextual information to respond appropriately in conversations and tasks.
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Receptive communication is the process of receiving and understanding a message from another person. It can be thought of as the input. Expressive communication is a message to another person. It is the means by which feelings, wants, likes, dislikes, comments, and intents are expressed.
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Progress varies depending on the individual’s goals, abilities, and consistency in using the AAC system. Many clients begin seeing improvements in communication within weeks to months.
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No! We can start working with new clients right away.
Once we have received a referral form with all of your details, we are able to book an Initial Assessment as soon as possible, depending on your availability.
You can find our paediatric referral forms here and our adult referral forms here.
If you have any questions prior to referring please reach out to us on 0474 248 081, via our online enquiry form or at or at enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com.
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If you are funded through Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) or Chronic Disease Management (CDM) we need the appropriate referral documentation from your GP.
For all other funding sources you can refer yourself or your child directly via our online referral form, or reach out to us on 0474 248 081, via our online enquiry form or at enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com.
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Referring is easy! You can find our paediatric referral forms here and our adult referral forms here.
If you have any questions prior to referring please reach out to us on 0474 248 081, via our online enquiry form or at enquiries@thrivehealththerapies.com.
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Yes! As a registered NDIS provider, Thrive Health Therapies meets rigorous NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators. We are passionately committed to upholding the NDIS Practice Standards, providing high-quality and safe supports and services for NDIS participants.
As a NDIS registered provider, we are also able to offer services to participants whose funds are managed by the NDIA.
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As a registered NDIS provider, interpreter services are available free of charge for NDIS participants. Please inform us if you require this service, and we will arrange this for you.
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We accept referrals from a wide range of funding sources, including the NDIS, home care packages, Department of Veterans Affairs, Chronic Disease Management (previously known as EPC) and private clients. Learn more about our accepted funding sources.
As a NDIS registered provider we are also able to accept participants who have chosen to have their funds managed by NDIA.
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Prices vary between services. Our therapists work with you to ensure you get the best program of services within your budget allocation.
Please contact us for a personalised quote.
Your Trusted NDIS Registered Provider in Adelaide
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding for individuals with permanent and significant disabilities. As a registered NDIS provider in Adelaide, Thrive Health Therapies meets rigorous NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators. We are passionately committed to upholding the NDIS Practice Standards, providing high-quality and safe supports and services for NDIS participants. As a NDIS registered provider, we offer services to participants whose funds are managed by the NDIA.
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