Risk factors identification in children with speech disorders: pilot study

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Speech-Language Pathology
• Developmental Psychology

Background:

• Speech and language disorders (SLDs) affect a significant number of children.
• Early identification of risk factors is essential for timely intervention.
• Understanding the interplay between child and parental factors is key to SLD etiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify primary risk factors in children and their parents associated with speech and language disorders.
• To establish a protocol for identifying these risk factors.

Main Methods:

• A prospective descriptive study involving 170 children and their parents.
• Data collection occurred at a school clinic from March 2010 to July 2012.
• Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square, and Student's t-test.

Main Results:

• Key child demographics included males aged 4-5, white ethnicity, and parents with high school education.
• Family-related risk factors identified were being an only child and a family history of SLDs.
• Child health risk factors included prematurity, prolonged hospitalization, and deleterious oral habits.

Conclusions:

• The developed protocol effectively identifies major risk factors for childhood SLDs.
• Children with identified risk factors require regular speech and language monitoring.
• Early intervention referrals are recommended for children exhibiting one or more risk factors.