Patient selection: child 2-3 years old who is not talking
Screening questions: 6 items
(1) normal hearing
(2) normal oral functioning
(3) normal development
(4) normal comprehension
(5) relate appropriately to others
(6) environment adequately stimulating
If all of the above are answered "Yes", then the child's prognosis is usually good and the child can be monitored, with follow-up in 6 months.
Parents should be encouraged to:
(1) provide speech models for the child
(2) provide the child with opportunities to communicate with other children
(3) not force the child to speak
(4) avoid enabling situations (with things are provided to the child automatically)
(5) provide a stimulating environment
If one or more of the questions are answered "No", then a further evaluation in the target area should performed.
