Status: Baseline only
Most Recent Data:
59.7
percent
(2012)
Target:
63.4
percent
Desired Direction:
Increase desired
Baseline:
59.7
percent of children and adolescents aged 3 to 17 years with communication disorders of voice, speech, or language saw a health care specialist for evaluation or treatment in the past 12 months in 2012
Increase the proportion of children and adolescents with communication disorders of voice, speech, or language who have seen a health care specialist for evaluation or treatment in the past 12 months
Data Source: National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), CDC/NCHS
Summary
Many children in the United States have voice, speech, and language disorders — and sometimes these disorders are linked to problems with behavior or development. Early evaluation by a speech-language pathologist can help families identify these disorders and get the right treatment for their child. If health care providers watch for signs of communication disorders and refer children to specialists, more children will get the help they need.
