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Behavioral Assessment of Hearing in 2 to 4 Year-old Children: A Two-interval, Observer-based Procedure Using Conditioned Play-based Responses
Published on: January 23, 2017
Language delay and behavioral/emotional problems in toddlers: findings from two developmental clinics
Leslie Rescorla1, Gail S Ross, Sarah McClure
1Bryn Mawr College, 101 North Merlon Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, USA. lrescorl@brynmawr.edu
Language delays in toddlers were not significantly linked to behavior problems, except for increased social withdrawal. This finding emerged after excluding children with neurodevelopmental or pervasive developmental disorders.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Speech-Language Pathology
Background:
- Language delay is a common concern in toddlers.
- Behavioral problems can co-occur with developmental delays.
- Understanding this association is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between language delay and behavior problems in toddlers.
- To investigate this association in two distinct samples.
- To assess the impact of neurodevelopmental and pervasive developmental disorders on this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Parents of 18- to 35-month-olds completed the Language Development Survey (LDS) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL).
- The Preschool Language Scale-Fourth Edition (PLS-4) was used in one study.
- Neurodevelopmental delay (ND) and pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) symptoms were assessed.
Main Results:
- In Study 1, initial correlations showed links between vocabulary and behavior problems.
- Excluding children with ND/PDD reduced significant correlations, except for vocabulary and social withdrawal.
- In Study 2, language delay was associated with higher scores for social withdrawal on the CBCL.
Conclusions:
- Significant links between general language delays and behavior problems were not robust after excluding children with ND/PDD.
- Toddlers with language delays may exhibit increased social withdrawal.
- Further research is needed to clarify the nuanced relationship between language and behavior in early development.
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