"That's just 'baby talk,' I'm sure my child will outgrow it." "Everyone in our family was a late talker. "My child will talk when the time is right."

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Have you had these thoughts?

Although some children will develop normal speech and language skills without treatment by the time they enter school, it's important to identify those who won't according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), a group of audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists.

Speech experts say parents should be concerned about a child's speech and language skills if there is no speech by the age of one year, if speech is not clear, or if speech or language is different from that of other children of the same age.

"Speech and language delays and disorders can have a significant effect on personal, social, academic, or vocational life, said ASHA President, Larry Higdon. "The earlier problems are identified, the greater the chances for improving communication skills."

Consider these facts:

• One out of every 5 of our nation's school-age children suffers from reading failures.
• A majority of all poor readers have an early history of spoken-language deficits.
• A child who is not a fluent reader by fourth grade is likely to struggle with reading into adulthood.
• It is estimated that 5 percent of children 18 years and under have a hearing loss.

Although the cause is often unknown, certain factors put children at high risk for speech-language delays, such as preterm birth, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and hearing loss.

Speech experts recommend that these children are evaluated early and at regular intervals.

More Info: ASHA's Web Site