Receptive Language is the ability to understand and process the language we hear, read, or otherwise receive – it is our comprehension of communication. This aspect of language encompasses understanding the meaning of words and sentences, grasping concepts, and interpreting questions or instructions. A person with strong receptive language skills can follow conversations, comprehend stories or questions, and learn new vocabulary from context. Someone with receptive language impairment may struggle to follow directions, misunderstand questions, or have difficulty processing complex sentences or concepts.
SLPs evaluate receptive language skills when a child or adult has trouble understanding spoken or written language (for example, not following age-appropriate directions or missing nuances in conversation); therapy may involve building vocabulary knowledge, improving auditory comprehension strategies, and teaching techniques (like visualization or rephrasing) to better understand language inputs.
McLaughlin, Maura R. “Speech and Language Delay in Children.” American Family Physician 83 (2011).
Bishop, Dorothy V. M., and Anna Edmundson. “Language-Impaired 4-Year-Olds: Distinguishing Transient from Persistent Impairment.” Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders (1987).
