EARLY DEVELOPMENTAL LANGUAGE DELAY - WHAT, IF ANYTHING, SHOULD THE CLINICIAN DO ABOUT IT

Early developmental language delay is characterized by slow developmen t of language in preschoolers. The condition is frequent among two- an d three-year-olds, causes concern among parents, and generates differe nces of opinion as to significance among informed professionals. Poore r long-term outcomes are much more likely if language delay persists u ntil the later preschool years, and if the delay is not specific to la nguage and/or includes problems in understanding. Specific language de lay in the preschool period is better characterized as a risk factor t han a disorder; most children with specific language delay recover to the normal range by five years of age.