What is a common sign of a speech or language impairment?

A common sign of a speech or language impairment is difficulty understanding or using spoken language. This encompasses challenges in processing spoken words, following conversations, or expressing thoughts clearly through speech. Children or individuals with such impairments might struggle to articulate their ideas or may not grasp the meaning of what others are saying, which can significantly affect their communication skills and interactions with peers and educators.

While frequent mispronunciation of words can occur in some individuals and may indicate speech difficulties, it is not as broad or definitive as the challenges faced in understanding or using spoken language. Similarly, difficulty with written language and the inability to follow simple instructions might relate to different dimensions of learning and communication but do not directly pinpoint oral language issues, which are central to speech and language impairments.