Children's Health
Speech and Language Development - When To Call a Doctor
Call your doctor any time you or another caregiver has concerns about your child's speech and language development. Be aware of red flags that point to a possible developmental delay, such as when your child does not make sounds that are expected for his or her age.
Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and ask questions about your child's medical history. This information can help your doctor identify developmental patterns and assess whether any other conditions, such as hearing loss, are interfering with development.
How to Help a Stuttering Child
It is not uncommon for a child between the ages of 2 and 5 to have a period of temporary stuttering. This is a crucial time of speech and language development. The stutter may persist for a couple of weeks or months. Other children never grow out of this speech disorder, continuing to stutter into adulthood. Whether or not your child's stutter is temporary or permanent, learn all you can so you have the resources you need to help your stuttering child.
Read the How to Help a Stuttering Child article > >
Your doctor may also recommend other tests to:
- Rule out other conditions. For example, hearing tests done by an audiologist may be recommended to rule out hearing loss.
- Assess speech and language developmental progress. Questionnaires and evaluations by a speech-language pathologist can help define where your child's abilities are in relation to other children of the same age.
- Find out whether other problems, such as behavioral difficulties or developmental delays in other areas, are also occurring.
Who to See
The following health professionals can diagnose speech and language problems and may work with other health professionals to treat them:
Speech-language pathologists treat children with speech and language delays.
Other professionals may be involved in the care of children with speech and language delays:
- Hearing specialist (audiologist)
- Ear specialist (otolaryngologist)
- Mental health professional (psychologist, psychiatric nurse, social worker, professional counselor)
- Occupational therapist and physical therapist
- Teacher
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
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