Editing Language delay (section)

{{Short description|Language disorder marked by delayed language development}}
{{distinguish|Late talker|Developmental language disorder}}
A '''language delay''' is a [[language disorder]] in which a [[Children|child]] fails to develop [[language]] abilities at the usual [[age-appropriate]] period in their [[developmental timetable]]. It is most commonly seen in children ages two to seven years-old and can continue into adulthood. The reported prevalence of language delay ranges from 2.3 to 19 percent.<ref name=":02">{{cite journal | vauthors = McLaughlin MR | title = Speech and language delay in children | journal = American Family Physician | volume = 83 | issue = 10 | pages = 1183–8 | date = May 2011 | pmid = 21568252 | url = https://www.aafp.org/afp/2011/0515/p1183.html }}</ref>

Language delays are distinct from [[speech delay]]s, in which the development of the [[Manner of articulation|mechanical and motor aspects of speech production]] are delayed. Many tend to confuse language delay with speech delay or even just [[late talker]]. All of these have different telltale signs and determining factors. [[Speech delay]] seems to be more similar to late talker compared to language delay. [[Speech]] is the verbal motor production of language, while language is a means of communication.<ref name=":02"/> Because language and speech are independent, they may be individually delayed. For example, a child may be delayed in speech (i.e., unable to produce intelligible speech sounds), but not delayed in language because they use a [[Sign Language]]. Additionally, language delay encompasses the entirety of language developmental progress being slowed and not just the speech aspects.

Language delays are recognized by comparing language development of children to recognized developmental milestones. They are presented in a variety of ways, as every individual child has a unique set of language skills and [[Deficiencies of the mind|deficiencies]] that are identifiable through many different screenings and tools. There are different causes leading to language delay; it is often a result of another [[developmental disorder]] and treatment requires analysis of the unique individual causes. The condition is frequently observed early on, among two- and three-year-olds.<ref name=":43">{{cite journal | vauthors = Whitehurst GJ, Fischel JE | title = Practitioner review: early developmental language delay: what, if anything, should the clinician do about it? | journal = Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines | volume = 35 | issue = 4 | pages = 613–48 | date = May 1994 | pmid = 8040218 | doi = 10.1111/j.1469-7610.1994.tb01210.x }}</ref> Early language delays are only considered risk-factors in leading to more severe language disorders.<ref name=":43"/>