Correlation of Language Assessment Batteries of Toddlers With Developmental Language Delay

To analyze the correlation between standardized language assessment batteries of toddlers and developmental language delays.

A total of 319 children with suspected language developmental delays were enrolled in this study retrospectively. They underwent the Receptive and Expressive Vocabulary Test (REVT) for vocabulary development assessment and at least one of two language assessment batteries: The Sequenced Language Scale for Infants (SELSI) or the Preschool Receptive-Expressive Language Scale (PRES) for language development assessment. The correlation of the results for receptive and expressive language between the scales were analyzed.

The participants were divided into two groups: SELSI and REVT (n=45) and PRES and REVT (n=273). When the children's results were classified into groups (average, mild delay, and delay), receptive and expressive scores were significantly correlated with each other in both SELSI-REVT and PRES-REVT groups. In addition, the correlation of mean developmental age between tests are analyzed. In the SELSI-REVT group, there was weak correlation of mean developmental age between tests for receptive and expressive language. In the PRES-REVT group, there was a strong positive correlation of mean developmental age for receptive and expressive language in children aged >36 months. Attention deficits during the test was found to be the statistically significant factor affecting the differences between the tests. The odds ratios for receptive and expressive language were 2.60 (95% confidence interval,1.15-5.84) and 1.94 (95% confidence interval, 1.15-3.27), respectively.

This study examined the correlations and influencing factors between language development evaluation tools for toddlers. An integrated interpretation of comprehensive language and vocabulary evaluation tools may be possible in children older than 3 years of language developmental age.