Language proficiency, development, and behavioral difficulties in toddlers

The aim of this cross-sectional descriptive study was to explore the relation of language proficiency, behavioral difficulties, and development in infants and toddlers. Surveyed were 118 parents/caregivers of preschool children (76 boys, 42 girls). The children were a mean age of 27 months (range, 18-35 months), and 32 (27.1%) had no language delay, 8 (6.8%) had expressive delay, 14 (11.9%) had receptive delay, and 64 (54.2%) had mixed receptive-expressive delay. Children with expressive delay were more likely to have social-emotional problems. Those with receptive delay were more likely to have pervasive developmental problems. Children with receptive-expressive delay were more substantially delayed in all developmental domains; they were more withdrawn and more likely to have pervasive developmental problems. When parents of toddlers report problems, especially behavior problems, a search for delayed language is warranted as these children may be at risk for future social and emotional problems.