The diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of late-talking toddlers.
Parents usually become concerned that their child is having difficulty learning language around two years of age because their child either is not talking as much as other children or because they are using tantrums to communicate and express frustration. The issue of late-talking toddlers comes at a time when Autism Spectrum disorders, diagnosis of which the CDC reports soared 800 percent nationwide between 1993 and 2003, have prompted a contentious, cause-and-effect debate among academics and healthcare practitioners. The heightened awareness of Autism, coupled with misinformation, also can cause parents of developmentally-delayed children undue concern. Many of the children who are late to talk will eventually outgrow their delays by school-age. When tested in school, they may perform at the low average but still average range. We tend to think these children are simply 'late bloomers' when it comes to language learning. Concerned parents should seek an evaluation from their state's early intervention program, which is typically free of charge and must be completed in a timely manner often within 45 days of the child's referral.
Researchers in Australia followed more than 2,800 families from birth through age 17, tracking behavioral and emotional development. Children who were late-talkers had mild levels of behavioral and emotional problems at age 2, but are at no greater risk of these problems during childhood or adolescence. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/230343.php