Abstract
Objective:
In this review article, it is aimed to describe the concepts of speech and language and to evaluate the reasons of speech delay.
Method:
The articles about speech delay were detected in Medline. After that, the related articles were evaluated and discussed.
Results:
A delay in speech development may be a symptom of many disorders, including mental retardation, hearing loss, expressive language disorder, psychosocial deprivation, autism, elective mutism, and cerebral palsy. Speech delay may be secondary to maturation delay or bilingualism as well.
Discussion:
The data of the history and the physical examination allows making a prompt diagnosis. Early detection and intervention may mitigate the emotional, social and cognitive deficits of this disability and improve the outcome.
Keywords: Speech delay, evaluation, differential diagnosis.
