Key Overview

• Expressive speech delay happens when a child understands more language than they are able to communicate themselves.
• Many children with expressive speech delay know exactly what they want to say but struggle to find the words.
• Around 1 in 5 Australian children experience speech, language, or communication difficulties during early childhood.
• Early support can help build communication skills, confidence, and reduce frustration for both children and parents.

What Is Expressive Speech Delay?

Expressive speech delay is when a child understands more language than they are able to communicate themselves. They often know exactly what they want to say but struggle to find the words, form sentences, or express their thoughts in a way that matches their age.

For many parents, this can feel confusing (and exhausting). Your child might follow instructions perfectly, understand conversations around them, and seem to know exactly what's going on, but when it comes to speaking, something feels a little behind.

You might notice that your child:

• understands everyday conversations
• follows instructions easily, even if they don’t respond verbally to them
• points to familiar people or objects when asked
• responds appropriately to questions
• becomes frustrated when you don’t understand what they are saying or trying to communicate

But they may struggle to:

• use words consistently so their speech may sound disjointed 
• put words together into sentences 
• tell you what they want or need and then get frustrated or angry when you don’t understand
• explain their thoughts and feelings which leads to more meltdowns and big emotions that don’t match the severity of the situation
• speak in a loud and clear voice, and may try to whisper instead

Many parents describe it like this:

"My child understands everything I say, but they don't seem to say very much themselves."

This is one of the most common concerns speech pathologists hear from families.

How Common Is Expressive Speech Delay?

Expressive speech delay is more common than many parents realise. In fact, speech and language difficulties are among the most common developmental concerns in early childhood.

According to Speech Pathology Australia, approximately 1 in 4 Australian children start school with difficulties in speech, language, or communication.

The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) also identifies communication skills as one of the key developmental areas influencing school readiness and long-term learning outcomes.

Research has found that children who experience ongoing language difficulties may be at greater risk of later challenges with:

• reading
• writing
• academic achievement
• social participation

That doesn't mean parents should panic if they notice a speech delay.

It simply highlights why early identification and support can be so valuable.

It’s also important to note that children raised in bilingual households may take slightly longer to learn a language and this is not considered a speech delay. 

What Are the Signs of Expressive Speech Delay?

The signs of expressive speech delay usually involve a child understanding more than they can say. Parents often notice communication frustrations long before they notice specific language difficulties. Kids may also react very emotionally either with tantrums, stomping feet, growling, screaming or other strong emotions in response to not having the ability to articulate their thoughts into words in that specific moment. 

Here’s what speech delay may look like for different ages:

Toddlers (1–3 Years)

Parents may notice:

• very few words compared to other children their age
• difficulty combining two words together
• limited attempts to imitate sounds or words
• frustration when trying to communicate
• relying heavily on pointing or gestures

Preschool Children (3–5 Years)

Parents may notice:

• short sentences compared to peers
• difficulty answering questions
• trouble explaining events or experiences
• unclear communication
• difficulty participating in conversations

School-Aged Children

Parents and teachers may notice:

• difficulty telling stories in sequence
• challenges explaining ideas
• limited vocabulary
• struggles with classroom participation
• difficulties with reading and writing development

Imagine knowing exactly what you want to say but not being able to get the words out? That's often what expressive speech delay feels like for children. Unsurprisingly, it can lead to a lot of frustration for both the child and the adults around them. An everyday moment can become the trigger for a bigger emotional blow up.

What Causes Expressive Speech Delay?

There is no single cause of expressive speech delay. Sometimes children simply need additional support developing communication skills, while other times there may be underlying developmental factors involved.

Expressive speech delay can sometimes be linked to:

• hearing difficulties
• developmental delay
• ADHD
• autism
• childhood apraxia of speech
• intellectual disability
• learning difficulties
• neurological conditions

Sometimes no obvious cause is identified at all.

This is often where parents find themselves stuck. They know something feels a little off, but they're not sure whether it's a phase, a personality difference, or something that needs support. 

As a parent, you may also wonder, “have I done enough?” “Should I have been speaking with my child more when they were a baby?” These are all common questions for parents to ask. You may notice that other children are speaking in full sentences, whereas your child is pointing instead of speaking. And the emotional burden of supporting a child with possible speech delay can be incredibly mentally and emotionally exhausting for many parents. 

A speech and language assessment can help answer those questions by providing a clearer picture of how your child is developing and whether additional support may be beneficial. It can help parents to have peace of mind knowing whether there is any speech delay or if development is on track with developmental milestones. 

There are many reasons why a child might experience speech difficulties. For some children, physical differences such as a cleft palate can make certain sounds harder to produce. For others, hearing difficulties may affect how they learn speech and language. Sometimes speech challenges can also be linked to genetic or developmental conditions that influence how communication skills develop over time.

Can a Child Grow Out of Expressive Speech Delay?

Some children do catch up naturally over time, but it can be difficult to predict which children will and which children may need support. From working with children experiencing expressive speech delay on a weekly basis and speaking with their parents, what we’ve found is most helpful is to speak with a speech therapist to (at least) understand your child’s specific situation to not guess anymore - do they, or don’t they have a speech delay? Just knowing already reduces the mental load.

And “can my child grow out of expressive speech delay?” is one of the most common questions parents ask. And it's understandable. Nobody wants to overreact if their child simply needs a little more time.

According to Speech Pathology Australia, communication difficulties can affect literacy, educational achievement, social participation, and overall wellbeing. This is one reason why many early childhood educators, teachers and other professionals interacting with your child, encourage families to seek advice early if they have concerns about their child's communication development.

This doesn't mean every child with a speech delay will struggle academically.

It simply means that early support often provides children with the best opportunity to develop strong communication skills before those challenges begin affecting other areas of life.

Sometimes an assessment confirms everything is progressing normally. And sometimes it identifies opportunities to support development earlier rather than later. Both outcomes can be incredibly reassuring for parents.

Speech Delay vs Language Delay: What Is the Difference?

Speech delay and language delay are related, but they are not the same thing.

Parents often hear these terms used interchangeably, which can make things confusing.

Speech Delay

Speech refers to how sounds are produced.

A child with a speech delay may know exactly what they want to say but struggle to pronounce sounds clearly.

Language Delay

Language refers to understanding and using words and sentences.

A child with a language delay may struggle to understand language, express ideas, or use age-appropriate vocabulary.

Many children experience both speech and language difficulties together.

This is why speech pathologists assess multiple areas of communication rather than focusing on just one skill.

Could Expressive Speech Delay Be Linked to ADHD or Autism?

Sometimes expressive speech delay can occur alongside ADHD, autism, sensory processing differences, developmental delays, and learning difficulties.

However, not every child with speech delay has ADHD or autism.

This is an important distinction because many parents understandably worry about the worst-case scenario when communication concerns arise.

One of the things we often remind families is that communication difficulties don't automatically point to a diagnosis.

Not every speech delay is autism.

Not every communication challenge is ADHD.

Sometimes children simply need extra support developing language skills.

The goal is understanding what is happening, not jumping straight to labels.

Your child is still the same child they were yesterday. Learning more about how they communicate simply helps us understand how to support them more effectively.

When Should Parents Seek Help for Speech Delay?

It may be worth seeking advice if communication difficulties are causing frustration, affecting daily life, or if you have concerns about your child's development.

If you're reading this article (and are here until the end), after spending weeks comparing your child to other children at daycare, kindy, school, or the playground, you're definitely not alone.

Many families seek support because something simply doesn't feel quite right, even if they can't pinpoint exactly why.

Some signs it may be helpful to speak with a speech pathologist include:

• your toddler is not using many words by age two
• your child struggles to put words together
• communication difficulties are causing frustration
• teachers or educators have raised concerns
• your child is falling behind peers developmentally
• communication difficulties are affecting social interactions

From our experience, we’ve observed that early intervention is associated with improved communication outcomes for many children experiencing speech and language difficulties.

Seeking support isn't dramatic. It's proactive. Children develop rapidly, and gaining clarity early can help families feel more confident about the path forward.

What Happens During a Speech Assessment?

A speech assessment helps identify how your child communicates, where their strengths are, and whether any additional support may be beneficial.

Many parents feel nervous about assessments because they're not sure what to expect.

The reality is that most assessments are simply conversations, observations, activities, and tasks designed to better understand your child's communication skills.

This may include:

• discussing your concerns as a parent
• observing communication skills
• assessing understanding of language
• assessing expressive language skills
• evaluating speech sounds
• discussing recommendations and next steps

At All About Kids - our goal is never to label your child. The goal is to understand what is happening and provide a clear plan moving forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is expressive speech delay?

Expressive speech delay occurs when a child understands more language than they are able to express using words, sentences, or communication.

Can ADHD cause speech delay?

ADHD does not directly cause speech delay, but some children with ADHD may experience communication difficulties that affect language development and expression.

Can children grow out of speech delay?

Some children do catch up naturally. However, it can be difficult to predict which children will need additional support, which is why early assessment is often recommended.

What age should a child be talking?

Children develop at different rates, but most toddlers begin using words between 12 and 18 months and start combining words into simple phrases by around two years of age.

Does my child need speech therapy?

Not every child with a speech delay requires ongoing therapy. An assessment can help determine whether support is needed and what type of support would be most beneficial.

Next Steps For Parents If You Suspect Any Speech Delay

One of the things we often tell families is that support is about understanding, not labelling.

Your child is the same child today that they were yesterday.

Learning more about their communication skills doesn't change who they are.

What it can do is provide clarity, confidence, and a plan.

And for many parents, that sense of finally understanding what's going on is often the biggest relief of all.

At All About Kids, we take a whole-child approach. We look beyond a single symptom to understand your child's strengths, challenges, and developmental needs so families can move forward with confidence and clarity.

If you would like to speak to any of our speech therapists about any potential speech delay that your child may be experiencing or even to seek support for yourself, fill out a booking enquiry form and we will get in touch with you right away to see how we can best help you. 

- All About Kids