Prevention of Speech and Language Disorders

Effective communication is necessary for individuals to fully participate in important life contexts: home, school, work, and the larger community. The presence of a speech and/or language disorder can negatively impact social interactions in any context. This entry provides an overview of the prevention of speech and language disorders and their causes. Next, the entry examines specific examples of ways in which the onset of speech and language disorders associated with either environmental or genetic causes have been prevented completely, or the severity of the disorders reduced through primary and, to a lesser extent, secondary prevention efforts.