ABSTRACT
Speech, language and communication are words which most of people use, comfortably and often, taking for granted that people can understand their meaning. Communication is the all-embracing term that includes speech and language but also covers all of the other ways in which people receive and express messages. But sometimes, the ideal relationship between communication, speech and language is not achieved. This chapter describes that children's abnormal speech and language development is often a point for discussion among speech and language therapists. It also discusses the hearing difficulties; speech and language problems; Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); social, mental and emotional health problems; and stammering. Although the diagnosis of specific speech and language disorders requires the specialist knowledge of a speech and language therapist, early years workers and carers are often able to recognise and describe children's communication problems. The speech and language therapist needs to obtain a complete picture of the child, including speech and language skills.
