ABSTRACT
Speech and language are important communicative abilities that most children acquire effortlessly during their early years. For those children who may demonstrate signs of a disability or delay, early identification is crucial for reducing possible negative social and academic outcomes later in life. This chapter addresses issues surrounding the early and accurate assessment of communication, language, and speech in preschool-age children. Guidelines regarding typical communication development will be provided as well as information regarding appropriate assessment tools specific to this population. Assessment considerations for special populations are also described.
