Universal Trauma Screening in Preschool Speech and Language Services: Screening Process and Client Profiles

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Mental Health
• Speech-Language Pathology

Background:

• Trauma exposure is prevalent in early childhood.
• Preschool speech and language (PSL) services are critical touchpoints for early intervention.
• Integrating trauma-informed care into existing services is essential for holistic child development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the implementation of universal trauma screening in publicly funded PSL services.
• To examine client profiles, including trauma exposures and responses, within these services.
• To assess the feasibility and impact of trauma screening in a pediatric clinical setting.

Main Methods:

• A clinical pilot and research study involving speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and mental health professionals.
• SLPs administered prescreenings during initial assessments.
• Full trauma screenings were offered to families, with data collected from 193 SLP questionnaires and 57 child screenings (ages 9-50 months).

Main Results:

• 30% of clients disclosed potential trauma exposure during initial PSL assessments.
• Highest reported exposures included public health crises (33%), family moves (30%), and separations (26%).
• A significant correlation (r=.28, p=.037) was found between the number of trauma exposures and potential trauma responses.

Conclusions:

• Universal trauma screening is crucial for early identification of at-risk children in PSL services.
• Integrating trauma-informed care and collaborative mental health services improves support for children exposed to trauma.
• Early identification and tailored interventions are vital for addressing the complex needs of traumatized children.