Speech delay

• speech (1)
  • is a motor act of communication through articulation of verbal expression (2)
  • is the sound that originates in the mouth
  • it should be differentiated from language
• language (1)
  • is the knowledge of a symbol system used for communication between persons (2)
  • is associated with meanings, rather than sounds
  • is a measure of intelligence
  • language delays are more serious than speech delays
• speech and language delays and disorders are the most common developmental problem among preschool children
• about 6% of 3 to 4 year old children show significant delay in speech development, the condition being more common in boys and often having a family history.
• speech delay is said to be present if speech development is significantly below the norm for children of the same age (2)

Note: There is a very wide range of normal development. For example the parents of a 2 year-old boy with obviously normal development but a vocabulary of only 10 to 20 words may be comparing him with the little girl of similar age in the same street but with a vocabulary of 200 words. Both are within the normal range.

Reference:

• (1) Speech and language delays and disorders. University of Michigan Health System 2007.
• (2) Leung AKC et al. Evaluation and Management of the Child with Speech Delay. American Family Physician 1999; 59 (11)