Common Concern 5: I have a child who has trouble communicating with others in his/her environment.  I try talking to him/her but I only get short answers.  I notice that he/she also does this with siblings and friends.  From the looks of it, they understand what they are told; they just seem to have trouble speaking about experiences and expressing himself/herself.  The times that they do express themselves is when they are talking about something they really like and enjoy doing.  I have done some research on these behaviors and would like some clarity.  Where can I go from here?

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Caregiver’s Initial Response: Caregivers may consult with pediatricians and other healthcare providers about their child’s social-communication skills.  Caregivers may find that brief appointments with pediatricians or healthcare providers don’t allow enough time to fully discuss their child’s communication difficulties.

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Tandem’s Response 5: Social-communication difficulties can make it hard for children to express themselves clearly, affecting their ability to make friends and interact with others.  These challenges can lead to withdrawal or cause others to misunderstand their intentions.  Communication difficulties can arise from various factors, including speech/language delays, challenges with social awareness, or difficulties in using nonverbal communication like body language.  Understanding how a child naturally communicates can help determine if there are underlying issues related to language, social interaction, or both.  We understand how concerning it can be when your child struggles to communicate effectively with others.  The good news is that you don’t have to figure this out alone—our comprehensive evaluation can help identify the root of the issue and provide you with clear steps to support your child.

 

Caregiver’s Next Steps: The first step in understanding your child’s social-communication difficulties is scheduling a comprehensive psychological evaluation with Tandem.  This evaluation will help pinpoint the underlying causes of their challenges, offering actionable insights and strategies to support their communication skills.  To get started, simply call Tandem or complete the Evaluation Interest Form here.