Language delay in a child "cannot" result from ______.

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (a) Hereditary diseases
Explanation:
While specific genetic conditions (like Down Syndrome) cause delays, the broad category of 'Hereditary diseases' is not an immediate clinical cause of language delay in the same way sensory or neurological deficits are. Hearing loss, Autism, and cognitive impairments are primary direct causes.
Information Booster:
● Hearing Impairment: Auditory input is the prerequisite for learning a spoken language; loss directly delays speech.
● Autism Spectrum: Social and communication challenges in ASD often lead to significant delays in expressive language.
● Cognitive Deficits: Mental retardation (intellectual disability) slows the overall rate of all developmental milestones.
● Environmental Factors: Extreme neglect or lack of linguistic stimulation can also cause significant delays in healthy children.
● Clinical Diagnosis: Language delay is often a symptom that prompts checks for underlying neurological or sensory issues.
Additional Points:
● Option (b): Major cause – Without being able to hear speech clearly, an infant cannot mimic sounds or learn patterns.
● Option (c): Major cause – Communication difficulties are a core diagnostic criterion for the Autism spectrum.
● Option (d): Major cause – Language requires complex cognitive processing; any mental impairment will naturally impact this.

So the correct answer is (a)