Multilingual children – a guide to when to refer to speech pathology
17 Jul 2024
Children may learn multiple languages simultaneously, and may show a preference for one language.
Receptive language skills are key in determining if speech pathology intervention is required for multilingual children.
The amount of exposure to each language directly impacts language acquisition, and the trajectory of language development for multilingual children can differ from monolingual children.
When a child has strong skills in their first language, they are better able to learn additional languages.
Early referral to speech pathology is critical if a child is having difficulty with understanding and following verbal information in their primary language.
Additional resources
Speech pathology service directory in South Western Sydney
23-minute webinar: The Benefits of Multilingualism
Interview for careforkids.com.au: Teaching multiple languages to under fives