Language Delays In Children

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - We do not talk about it much but the prevalence of language delay in children ranges from two to almost twenty percent between the ages of two and seven years of age.

Speech is the verbal production of language. Language on the other hand is far more. It is the conceptual processing of communication.

To explain this better and put it in real terms, language includes understanding and the ability to convey information, feelings thoughts and ideas. We know certain things from experience. If a child has speech and language problems at two and a half they have increased difficulty reading in elementary school years. Children who have speech and language issues at seven have difficulty writing in their teen years.

The reason I am making such a big deal of this is because we now know that if we intervene early and provide therapy it can make a huge difference in later years. Many language issues can be detected early but parents are often the best to recognize issues and get help for their children.

Reported By Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW Newsradio Medical Editor