Speech And Language Development: When To Call A Doctor

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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 indicate a possible developmental delay, such as when your child does not make sounds that are expected for his or her age.

Your health professional will conduct a physical exam and ask questions about your child's medical history. This information can help your health professional identify developmental patterns and assess whether any underlying conditions, such as hearing loss, are interfering with development.

Your health professional may also recommend other tests to:

• Rule out underlying conditions. For example, hearing tests conducted by an audiologist may be recommended to rule out hearing loss. Even a small amount of hearing loss in very young children (from birth to 3 years) may cause speech and language development problems.
• Specifically 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.
• Determine 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:

• Family medicine doctor
• Pediatrician
• Nurse practitioner, either one who specializes in the care of the family (family nurse practitioner) or in the care of children (pediatric nurse practitioner)
• Physician assistant

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

Last updated:	January 05, 2007
Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Louis Pellegrino, MD - Developmental Pediatrics
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC