RT Book, Section A1 Andrews, James S. A1 Feldman, Heidi M. A2 Rudolph, Colin D. A2 Rudolph, Abraham M. A2 Lister, George E. A2 First, Lewis R. A2 Gershon, Anne A. SR Print(0) ID 6738322 T1 Chapter 86. Language Delay T2 Rudolph's Pediatrics, 22e YR 2011 FD 2011 PB The McGraw-Hill Companies PP New York, NY SN 978-0-07-149723-7 LK accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=6738322 RD 2024/03/28 AB Language is the medium through which we share our ideas, emotions, and beliefs. Language and speech skills are the basis for human social interactions and learning. Delays in the early development of these skills may thus affect several domains of functioning in a child’s life. Children with delayed language are at increased risk for learning disabilities, such as difficulties of reading and writing, which may negatively impact a child’s academic achievement. As adults, individuals with language and speech difficulties may hold lower-skilled jobs and experience more behavior problems and impaired psychosocial adjustment as compared to individuals with normal skills. For these reasons, pediatric clinicians should be skilled at evaluating language development and managing delays and disorders.