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A method of screening for communication disorders in child psychiatric inpatients
Insights
Children with speech and language disorders face higher risks for emotional and behavioral issues. A new screening method for inpatient psychiatric services shows promise in identifying these children earlier.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychiatry
- Developmental Psychology
- Speech-Language Pathology
Background:
- Children with speech and language disorders (SLDs) are at increased risk for emotional and behavioral problems.
- Retrospective review indicated potential under-identification or delayed referral of children with SLDs in psychiatric inpatient settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a screening procedure for identifying speech or language problems in children admitted to a psychiatric inpatient service.
- To improve early detection and intervention for children with co-occurring SLDs and psychiatric conditions.
Main Methods:
- A four-part screening procedure was developed for use at admission to a child psychiatric inpatient service.
- A pilot study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of the new screening method.
Main Results:
- The pilot study demonstrated promising results for the four-part screening procedure.
- Estimated sensitivity was 81% and estimated specificity was 90% for the screening method.
Conclusions:
- The developed four-part screening method is a potentially valuable tool for identifying children with SLDs in psychiatric inpatient settings.
- Implementing this screening can lead to more timely referrals and appropriate clinical management for at-risk children.
Abstract:
Research indicates that children with speech and language disorders probably are at greater risk for developing emotional and behavior problems. A retrospective review of referral patterns on a child psychiatric inpatient service suggested that some children with speech and language disorders were either being missed or referred late in their hospital stay. A four-part procedure was developed to screen children for speech or language problems at admission to a child psychiatric inpatient service. A pilot study of the new method showed promise as a screening procedure (estimated sensitivity = 81%; estimated specificity = 90%). The four-part screening method, referral guidelines and clinical implications are presented.