How Speech and Language Delays Can Impact Reading and Writing

Many parents are surprised to learn that reading and writing don’t start in kindergarten—they start with speech and language development. Long before children decode words on a page or write sentences, they rely on strong language skills to understand sounds, meanings, and structure.



When speech or language delays are present early on, they can quietly—but significantly—affect literacy later.

Language Is the Foundation of Literacy

Reading and writing are built on several core language skills, including:

• Understanding and using vocabulary
• Recognizing and producing speech sounds
• Following directions and understanding grammar
• Telling and understanding stories
• Remembering and organizing information

If these foundational skills are weak, children may struggle when literacy demands increase.

How Speech Sound Difficulties Affect Reading

Children must be able to hear, identify, and manipulate sounds in words to learn to read and spell. When a child has speech sound delays, they may also have difficulty with:

• Phonological awareness (rhyming, blending, segmenting sounds)
• Sound–letter correspondence
• Decoding unfamiliar words
• Spelling words the way they sound

A child who can’t clearly produce or perceive sounds may also struggle to map those sounds onto letters.

How Language Delays Affect Comprehension and Writing

Language delays don’t just affect reading aloud—they affect understanding.

Children with language delays may struggle with:

• Understanding what they read
• Answering questions about stories
• Learning new vocabulary from text
• Organizing ideas into sentences or paragraphs
• Using grammar correctly in writing

Writing is especially demanding because it requires children to plan, organize, and express language—all at once.

“They Can Read the Words—But Don’t Understand”

Some children learn to decode words but still struggle academically. This is often because:

• Their expressive or receptive language is weak
• They have difficulty understanding complex sentences
• They struggle with inferencing, sequencing, or retelling

Reading fluency without comprehension is a common sign that language—not intelligence—is the underlying challenge.

Why These Challenges Often Appear Later

Speech and language delays don’t always cause immediate academic difficulty. Many children seem “fine” in preschool—until:

• Reading expectations increase
• Writing becomes more complex
• Classroom directions become longer
• Independent learning is required

This is why early speech and language concerns should never be dismissed as “minor.”

Early Support Changes the Trajectory

When speech and language skills are addressed early, children are better prepared to:

• Learn phonics and spelling
• Understand what they read
• Express ideas clearly in writing
• Feel confident in the classroom

Early intervention doesn’t just support communication—it supports academic success.

An Evaluation Provides Clarity

A speech-language evaluation can:

• Identify foundational language gaps
• Assess skills related to literacy readiness
• Clarify whether reading or writing struggles are language-based
• Guide targeted support before challenges grow

Evaluations are not about labels—they’re about understanding why a child is struggling and how to help.

The Bottom Line: Speech and Language Matter Beyond Talking

Speech and language delays don’t stop at communication—they often show up later as reading and writing difficulties. Addressing concerns early can prevent frustration, academic struggles, and loss of confidence.

👉 If your child has a history of speech or language delays—or is struggling with reading or writing—an evaluation can provide answers and a clear plan forward. Trust your instincts and take the next step toward confident communication and learning.