It is important to note that taking a history to assess a child's speech and language development is different from taking a history in a child with speech and language delay to determine the cause of the delay. In the former, questions related to expressive language, understanding, attention and vocabulary should be asked. In the later we propose the following format.

Developmental history
Language milestones- when was the delay noticed?
Gross motor/ fine motor / social milestones- Is there any delay?
What are the parental concerns?
Is there an associated gradual loss of vision (Ushers Syndrome)?
Is there a history of regression?

Pregnancy
Maternal illness during pregnancy
Intrauterine infection ( rubella, toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus )
Maternal  metabolic disease
Maternal hypothyroidism
use of drugs during pregnancy (alcohol)

Delivery and neonatal period
Perinatal history
Prematurity
Hypoxia
Birth trauma
Intracranial hemorrhage
Severe jaundice requiring intensive phototherapy or exchange transfusion
Problems with oromotor coordination

Past medical History
Encephalitis, meningitis
Recurrent otitis media
Hypothyroidism
Head trauma
Ototoxic drugs
Kidney problems
Ear abnormalities which may have been corrected, cleft lip or palate

Social and family history
Psychosocial stress, family conflicts
Abnormal social play, inability to relate to others
Bilingual or multilingual home
Speech delay in family
Kidney problems in the family
Chromosomal abnormalities in family for example:
• Pendred syndrome
• Waardenburg syndrome
• Usher syndrome
• Prader-Willi syndrome