ABSTRACT
Learning to communicate is a significant developmental task for young children. Communication has its foundation in primary social interactions, but effective communication requires the coordinated use of cognitive, social, motor, and linguistic skills. The complexity of the social linguistic communication system, and its interdependence with development in other domains, makes it relatively vulnerable to disruption. If a significant delay occurs in any domain of development, it is likely to affect communication development. Thus, most children with cognitive, motor, or social delays resulting from genetic or environmental causes are at risk for delays in the development of language and communication skills.
