Written for public health personnel, the guide describes programs to aid the communication disorders of hearing, speech, and language impairments. Areas considered include the nature, size, classification, and prevalence of communicative disorders; reporting, registration, monitoring, and screening methods of case finding; special risk conditions for communicative disorders; and procedures for testing the communicative abilities of children (newborn through 5 years). Also discussed are the objectives of diagnosis, examination and evaluation (both medical and nonmedical aspects), and diagnostic procedures; and prevention, treatment, and training. Principles of organization and administration are stated, and guidelines given for developing a community program. Geographic factors, advisory committiees, community education, personnel, and evaluation are mentioned. Concerning research, the nature and scope of activities, organization of staff, and allocation of the budget are described. Appendixes give a list of 10 national organizations on hearing and speech and a bibliography of 79 items. The program area committee members are listed. (GD)