Analytic Language Processing (ALP)
Analytic Language Processing (ALP) is the most common way children develop language skills. It involves learning language in its smallest parts, such as individual sounds and words, and then combining these parts to form meaningful sentences.
What is Analytic Language Processing?
In ALP, children learn language by:
Segmenting Sounds: Identifying and distinguishing individual sounds (phonemes) in speech.
Building Words: Combining sounds to form words and understanding the meaning of individual words.
Constructing Sentences: Using words to create sentences, following the rules of grammar and syntax.
Expanding Vocabulary: Continuously learning new words and how to use them in various contexts.
Understanding Context: Grasping the meaning of words and sentences based on the context in which they are used.
How ALP’s Language Develops:
The development of ALP typically follows a predictable sequence:
1. Babbling: Infants start by making repetitive sounds, experimenting with their speech e.g ‘mamamama’ ‘dadada’ ‘gagaga’.
2. First Words: Around their first birthday, children usually begin to say their first words.
3. Word Combinations: As their vocabulary grows, children start combining words to form simple phrases and sentences, such as ‘more milk’ ‘milk please’ ‘big dog’.
4. Sentence Structure: Children learn to construct more complex sentences, understanding and using grammatical rules, such as ‘can I have more milk please?’
5. Narrative Skills: Eventually, children can tell stories, describe events, and hold conversations, demonstrating advanced language skills.
How do I know if my child is an Analytic LanguageProcessor?
Children who are primarily analytic language processors (ALP’s):
• Start talking using single words (usually around their first birthday) and then put these words together to form short phrases (usually around their second birthday)
• Are following what is considered to be a ‘typical’ path of development
• Start using basic grammatical structures (e.g ‘Mummy’s’, ‘painted’).
• Form increasingly complex sentences over time.
• Have a growing vocabulary of individual words
• Follow a typical developmental sequence of babbling, first words, word combinations, complex sentences.
• Do not use frequent delayed echolalia (repeating phrases from people or tv shows)
• May experience language difficulties, for example they may say their first words later than expected or need support with combining sentences, developing grammar or telling stories. Where these children have significant support needs with their language they may be diagnosed with ‘Developmental Language Disorder’, or DLD for short.
Parents and educators can support their children’s Analytic Language Development by:
• Reading Aloud: Regularly reading books to children helps them hear and learn new words and sentence structures, a bedtime story routine is a great way to do this everyday.
• Labelling single words: pointing to things you can see and labelling this with a word.
• Signing: using signing such as Makaton which supports spoken language development.
• Sound games: Playing around with speech sounds and identifying environmental sounds – Orchard Toys ‘First Sounds Lotto’ is great for developing this skill.
• Following your child’s lead in play: Get down on your child’s level and follow their lead.
• Reducing questions: Try not to ask your child too many questions, instead of questions use comments, for example instead of saying ‘what’s that’ you can say ‘it’s a bird’
• Extending language: Repeat back language your child is using and extend this, for example if your child says ‘bird’ you can say ‘yes blue bird!’
• Using Visual Supports: Visual aids, such as aided language boards, flash cards, and picture books, can enhance vocabulary and understanding of language.
When might my child need support with their language development?
Some children who are developing language in what is considered the typical way, but who are not meeting the expected milestones might need support from a Speech and Language Therapist. Your child may need support if they show:
• Delayed Speech and Language Development: Your child may not have started to say their first words and they are 18 months+, or who is not combining words at 30 months+.
• Speech Sound Difficulties: Your child may have difficulty pronouncing certain sounds. For more information see Speech Sound Disorders.
• Features of Developmental Language Disorder: such as word finding difficulties, difficulty understanding instructions, and difficulty forming grammatically correct sentences.
• Dysfluency: Experiences a stammer which is bothering them.
• Challenges with understanding: needs support to follow spoken instructions.
• Challenges engaging in conversation: may find it difficult to keep up with the rapid pace of conversation or take their turn in conversation or find the right words for what they want to say.
• Challenges with phonics and early reading and writing skills: finds it difficult to identify letters and sounds and blend these to read and spell words.
• Frustration: when trying to communicate with others which can lead to distressed behaviour.
At My Journey SLT, we are dedicated to supporting children who need support with their Speech and Language Development. Our services include:
• Assessments: Comprehensive evaluations to understand each child’s language processing strengths and needs.
• Individualised Therapy: Tailored therapy sessions focused on enhancing articulation, vocabulary, grammar, and overall communication skills.
• Parent and Educator Training: Workshops and training sessions to equip parents and teachers with strategies to support ALP at home and in the classroom.
• Resources and Tools: Provision of materials such as aided language boards and educational games to support language development.
Additional Resources
1. BBC's Tiny Happy People: Offers activities and
tips for parents to support language development from birth to age five. Visit BBC Tiny Happy People
2. Speech and Language UK: Provides information and
resources on supporting children with speech and language needs. Visit Speech and Language UK.
3. West Sussex Libraries: Offers a variety of
resources, including books and educational materials, to support language
development. Visit Libraries
- West Sussex County Council
4. NHS Speech and Language Therapy: Information on
accessing NHS services for speech and language therapy. Visit the NHS
Speech and Language Therapy page.
5. Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
(RCSLT): Offers guidelines and resources for supporting language
development. Visit RCSLT.
