The impact of parental postnatal depression on the development of speech and language

Abstract

Speech, language and communication problems in children can affect their social and emotional development, and poor parental mental health can have an impact on the whole family, including parents' ability to bond with their baby. This article will explore the role of the health visitor in identifying family needs to support the development of speech, language and communication in childhood, through analytical examination and appraisal of child development theories and literature, and how postnatal depression can affect children's speech and language development.