Onset of language development begins early and even prenatally. In the first 3 years of life children enter into language development at different levels and show a dramatic development with respect to production and reception. Although language development as such appears to be very robust, developmental language impairments are common and are associated with severe consequences for further child development. Delays in language development can first be identified at the age of 2 years. These can either be the expression of late talking, which is a circumscribed delay in language development or an indication of other disorders and impairments (e.g. cognitive impairments, sensory disorders and disorders from the group of autistic forms). Not all late talkers develop a language impediment disorder as a consequence; however, in individual cases so far only very limited reliable predictions can be made. In addition, early diagnosis is made more difficult because not all children who later develop a circumscribed disorder in language development are already conspicuous at the age of 2 years; therefore, screening at 2 years alone is insufficient.