Speech Delay, Multilingual Homes & the Myth of “Confusion”: What Parents Need to Know

 

Speech Delay, Multilingual Homes & the Myth of “Confusion”: What Parents Need to Know



Learn Without Limits CIC – November/December 2025

Across Wales, thousands of young children grow up speaking more than one language — Welsh and English, or English plus Yoruba, Somali, Urdu, Arabic, Polish, Mandarin, Shona, Hindi, Portuguese and many more. Multilingualism is a strength, not a problem.

Yet when a bilingual or multilingual child shows speech delay or communication differences, families are still told:

💬 “It’s confusing them.”
💬 “Just speak English.”
💬 “They’ll catch up next year.”

These ideas are outdated.
This article explains what parents really need to know, without politics, without judgment, and without myths.

1. Bilingual Children Are NOT Delayed by Multiple Languages

Multilingual children:

Research is clear:
Speaking more more than one language does not cause speech delay.

If delay exists, it needs support, but the languages are not to blame.

2. Code-Switching Is Normal — Not a Cause for Concern

When children mix languages (e.g., “Mae’n finished”), it shows:

✔ cognitive flexibility
✔ healthy multilingual development
✔ strong communication skills

It is NOT a sign of confusion.

3. When Parents Should Seek Speech & Language Therapy (SALT)

Being bilingual does not prevent a child from having:

You should seek SALT if your child:

  • has limited speech in all languages

  • loses words

  • avoids communication

  • struggles to follow instructions

  • has unclear speech

  • relies heavily on gestures

  • becomes frustrated trying to talk

Always start with a hearing test.

4. Difference, Delay, or Disorder?

  • Communication difference: normal for multilingual children

  • Communication delay: speech develops slowly in all languages

  • Communication disorder: underlying difficulty across all languages

SALT teams look for patterns across every language the child uses.

5. Hearing Tests in Wales — And Why Glue Ear Must Be Checked Early

Hearing checks are FREE and available via:

Why glue ear matters

Glue ear is common between ages 1–7.

It causes:

  • muffled sound

  • unclear speech

  • “selective hearing”

  • attention problems

  • behaviour changes

  • overwhelm in noisy places

Glue ear can look like:

  • autism

  • ADHD

  • sensory issues

  • speech delay

But it is temporary and treatable.

The earlier a child sees Audiology, the fewer developmental delays they accumulate.

6. Medical Conditions That Can Mimic Speech Delay, Autism or ADHD

Not all communication changes are developmental.
Some are caused by temporary or treatable medical issues.

Here are the most common ones:

1. Glue Ear (Otitis Media with Effusion)

Fluid behind the eardrum causes:

  • muffled sound

  • speech delay

  • inattentiveness

  • sensory overload

Very common.
Very treatable.

2. Recurrent Ear Infections

Can cause:

  • irritability

  • poor sleep

  • behaviour changes

  • communication struggles

Children often appear to be “not listening.”

3. Tongue Tie (Ankyloglossia)

A tongue-tie restricts tongue movement.

It can cause:

  • unclear speech

  • difficulty forming certain sounds

  • drooling

  • feeding issues

Often easily treated.

4. Enlarged Tonsils or Adenoids

These affect breathing and sleep.

They cause:

  • mouth breathing

  • snoring

  • restless sleep

  • daytime fatigue

  • poor concentration

  • slow processing

Can mimic ADHD or sensory overload.

5. Mild–Moderate Hearing Loss

Children may respond sometimes, but not consistently.

This causes:

  • speech delay

  • misunderstanding

  • needing higher volume

  • behaviour described as inattention

Audiology is essential.

6. Vision Difficulties

These can lead to:

  • avoiding books

  • copying instead of engaging

  • misreading facial expressions

Looks similar to ND traits.

7. Oral Motor Weakness

Affects:

  • speech clarity

  • chewing

  • tongue strength

SALT can help significantly.

8. Sleep Disorders

Poor sleep causes:

  • irritability

  • inattention

  • hyperactivity

  • delayed language

  • sensory sensitivity

Very common in KS1.

9. Iron Deficiency (Anaemia)

Causes:

  • fatigue

  • low mood

  • slower processing

  • irritability

Behaviour often mimics “ADHD-type” presentation.

10. Vitamin D Deficiency

Very common in Wales.
Causes:

  • mood changes

  • muscle pain

  • fatigue

  • irritability

Can indirectly affect communication.

11. Long Covid / Post-Viral Fatigue

Symptoms include:

  • slow processing

  • memory difficulties

  • sensory changes

  • emotional sensitivity

Can look like regression.

7. How to Get a SALT Assessment in Wales

Many Health Boards allow parent self-referral.

SALT Self-Referral Links (All 7 Welsh Health Boards)

Swansea Bay UHB

🔗 https://sbuhb.nhs.wales/hospitals/a-z-childrens-salt-referral

Cardiff & Vale UHB

🔗 https://cavuhb.nhs.wales/salt-children-referral

Hywel Dda UHB

🔗 https://hduhb.nhs.wales/childrens-speech-and-language-therapy-referrals

Aneurin Bevan UHB

🔗 https://abuhb.nhs.wales/services/childrens-salt-referral

Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB

🔗 https://ctmuhb.nhs.wales/services/salt-children-self-referral

Betsi Cadwaladr UHB

🔗 https://bcuhb.nhs.wales/services/speech-and-language/salt-children-referral

Powys Teaching Health Board

🔗 https://pthb.nhs.wales/services/childrens-speech-language-referral

8. Sign Language Helps ALL Children — Not Only Deaf Children

Signing supports:

  • early communication

  • emotional expression

  • autistic & ADHD children

  • reducing frustration

  • multilingual families

  • pre-verbal toddlers

Useful Resources

Sing and Sign:
https://www.singandsign.co.uk

Makaton:
https://makaton.org

BSL Courses:
https://www.british-sign.co.uk
https://www.signature.org.uk/bsl-courses

9. Why Some Children Are Overlooked — A Professional Awareness Issue

Different families teach communication differently.
Professionals must understand this to avoid misinterpreting children’s needs.

⭐ Case Study: Welsh First Language Girl (Misinterpreted as “Shy”)

A 5-year-old in a Welsh-medium school:

  • spoke confidently at home

  • froze in class

  • copied peers

  • avoided speaking English

  • came home exhausted

Teachers said: “She’s shy.”

Assessment found she was autistic and masking.
Support transformed her confidence.

⭐ Case Study: Yoruba Boy Masking in Early Years

A multilingual Yoruba boy was described as:

  • quiet

  • polite

  • adaptable

  • mature

Teachers assumed he was shy or adjusting to English.

But his early caregiving (multiple caregivers, back-carrying, non-verbal routines, multilingual exposure) taught:

  • copying

  • masking

  • emotional restraint

He was later correctly identified as neurodivergent.
Support changed everything.

10. Eye Contact Differs Across Cultures — Not a Universal Autism Marker

In many cultures (Japanese, Somali, Middle Eastern, African, Caribbean), direct eye contact with adults is considered rude.

So:

Eye contact cannot be used alone for autism screening.

11. Stigma Can Delay Referrals

Some families fear:

  • gossip

  • judgement

  • blame

  • community pressure

  • religious or cultural stigma

Learn Without Limits CIC stands firmly with all families:
Early help is strength, not shame.

12. What To Do After a SALT Assessment

If SALT identifies communication needs:

✔ ask for the written report
✔ share with the ALNCo
✔ ask how support will be delivered
✔ consider whether needs meet ALN criteria
✔ track progress in a communication diary

If needs create barriers to learning, your child may require an IDP.

Full Guide:
🔗 https://learnwithoutlimitscic.blogspot.com/2025/11/how-to-request-idp-wales-parent-guide.html

Final Thoughts

A child can be:

  • multilingual AND autistic

  • bilingual AND ADHD

  • speech-delayed AND brilliant

  • neurodivergent AND gifted

  • multilingual AND disabled

  • multilingual AND thriving

When parents feel supported and professionals understand communication diversity, children can then achieve their full potential.






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EXPERT PANEL COMMENTARY

Paediatrician’s Commentary

"Early developmental differences can easily be missed in multilingual children, not because parents are doing anything wrong, but because the system often relies on outdated assumptions about how children should communicate. This article highlights the essential truth: bilingualism does not cause speech delay. What paediatricians see repeatedly is that temporary hearing issues—especially glue ear—are overlooked, yet they can mimic neurodevelopmental conditions and significantly delay speech if untreated. The earlier a child is assessed by Audiology and SALT, the better their long-term developmental outcomes. I wish more families were given this information upfront."

Audiologist’s Commentary

"Hearing difficulties are one of the most common and most under-recognised contributors to communication delay in early childhood. Glue ear alone can cause fluctuating hearing loss for months, affecting speech clarity, behaviour and attention. It is essential that every child with speech delay receives a hearing assessment as part of their care. This article correctly emphasises that hearing loss can mimic autism traits, and that early referral prevents unnecessary worry, misinterpretation and delay. Parents should feel empowered to request Audiology appointments directly through their GP, Health Visitor or School Nursing team."

Speech & Language Therapist’s Commentary

"As SALTs, we frequently see multilingual children whose needs have been overlooked or misunderstood because professionals assume language exposure is the problem. This is simply not true. We look for patterns across ALL languages, not just English. A multilingual child can and should access support just as early as any child. I am particularly pleased to see clear information here about parent self-referral, communication diaries and sign-supported communication. Signing, Makaton and visual supports can dramatically reduce frustration and help children express themselves long before speech is fully developed."

ALNCo’s Commentary

"Schools must recognise that communication differences are not caused by multilingual homes, and children from all cultural backgrounds can mask their needs extremely well. This article highlights key areas teachers and ALNCos must consider, such as cultural variations in eye contact, politeness and behaviour expectations. These are crucial to avoid assumptions that delay support. When SALT identifies barriers to learning, schools have a duty under the ALN Act to provide Additional Learning Provision and consider an IDP. I welcome this article because it empowers parents with accurate guidance, while also reminding schools of their responsibilitie




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