Which statement best distinguishes language delay from speech delay?

• A. Language delay is typically associated with reading difficulties
• B. Language delay cannot affect social interactions
• C. Speech delay implies better reading
• D. Language delay disappears by age 3

Answer: (A)

Language delay involves broader language skills—understanding and using words, grammar, and social use of language—whereas speech delay is about the actual production of sounds and articulation. Because reading relies heavily on language abilities such as vocabulary, grammar, and phonological awareness, a language delay is typically linked to reading difficulties. A child who struggles with vocabulary and sentence structure may also struggle with decoding and comprehension, which are key reading skills. In contrast, having a speech delay (difficulty forming sounds) does not by itself predict reading problems as strongly, since the core issue is articulation rather than language processing. Also, language delays do not simply disappear by age three; many persist and continue to affect academic and social functioning if not addressed.