Managing referrals for children with receptive language delay

This study investigates relations between language and cognitive scores in children with receptive language (RL) delay and suggests guidelines for referral for cognitive testing. This retrospective review of the test scores of 41 children, ages 17 to 76 months (mean = 37.7 months), focuses on examining associations between RL and cognitive scores. Results show that mean RL scores are positively correlated with mean cognitive scores and that receptive scores are significant predictors of cognitive performance. Children with RL scores of >1 standard deviation below the mean are at risk for concomitant cognitive deficits. Because children with RL delay are at considerable risk for cognitive deficits, the authors recommend considering referral for cognitive testing when RL standard scores fall below 85.