Speech and Language Delay and Disorders in Children Age 5 and Younger: Screening.

The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for speech and language delay and disorders in children aged 5 years or younger.
To view the recommendation and the evidence on which it is based, please go to 
http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Topic/recommendation-summary/speech-and-language-delay-and-disorders-in-children-age-5-and-younger-screening.

Population	Asymptomatic children aged ≤5 years whose parents or clinicians do not have specific concerns about their speech, language, hearing, or development
Recommendation	No recommendation. Grade: I statement (insufficient evidence)
Risk Assessment	Risk factors that have been reported to be associated with speech and language delay and disorders include male sex, family history of speech and language impairment, low parental education level, and perinatal risk factors (e.g., prematurity, low birth weight, and birth difficulties).
Screening Tests	The USPSTF found inadequate evidence on specific screening tests for use in primary care settings. Widely used screening tests in the United States include the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, the Language Development Survey, and the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory.
Treatment and Interventions	Interventions for childhood speech and language disorders vary widely and can include speech-language therapy sessions and assistive technology (if indicated). Interventions are commonly individualized to each child's specific pattern of symptoms, needs, interests, personality, and learning style.
Balance of Benefits and Harms	The current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening and interventions for speech and language delay and disorders in young children in primary care settings.
Other Relevant USPSTF Recommendations	The USPSTF recommends screening for hearing loss in all newborn infants, and is developing a recommendation on screening for autism spectrum disorder in young children (available at www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org).