ABSTRACT
The purpose of speech therapy is to help children and adults overcome their problem of communication and in this it is closely allied to medicine and education. The nature of many communication disorders is such that many professionals, with different backgrounds and approaches, may be involved with any one child. Although some children with delayed speech do eventually acquire normal speech spontaneously, this may be at the expense of early social, emotional and intellectual development. There is convincing evidence that skilled intervention from a speech therapist can accelerate speech and language development in these children. Screening procedures for speech and language problems are not common and when they do take place they are normally conducted by other professionals: health visitors for pre-school, and teachers for school-aged children. Referral for speech therapy is 'open' throughout the country. Where children are concerned, referral is recommended as soon as any communication problem is thought to exist.
