Children with Language Problems in a Speech and Hearing Clinic: Background Variables and Extent of Language Problems

Objective: Analysis of a clinical population referred for language analysis in terms of background variables and extent of language problems.

Design: Descriptive study.

Materials And Methods: Children referred to a speech and hearing clinic because of assumed language problems were analyzed with standardized tests for language comprehension (Dutch version of the Reynell Developmental Comprehension Scale) and language production (Schlichting test for sentence development). A language problem was defined when the language quotient score differed 1.3S.D. from the mean (quotient scores< or =80). Furthermore, potential risk factors for language problems were compiled (gender, prematurity, birth weight, family composition, familial aggregation, parental education and daycare/home care).

Results: Two hundred forty children, aged between 2 and 5 years of age were included in the study. A reliable language comprehension quotient (LCQ) was obtained in 204 children (85%) and a reliable sentence development quotient (SDQ) in 206 children (85%). In 35% of the children who were assumed to have language problems, adequate language development was found. The children with language problems differed from the children without language problems with regard to language problems in the family (more family aggregation). Also the former more frequently had parents with a low level of education and more often did not attend daycare. The total referred group differed from the Dutch population with regard to gender (more boys), more instances of low birth weight, more parents with middle and high educational level, more two-parent households, fewer siblings, and more frequent attendance at daycare.

Conclusion: Parents with a low level of education more frequently have children with language problems. However, parents with a middle and high level of education are more often concerned about the language development of their child. As a consequence, the overestimation of language problems is a real issue in clinical practice. Normal variations in language development often are not considered. The analysis of compiled background variables indicates that language problems are genetically influenced (gender and family aggregation). Language input also is of importance (interactions with a language-competent parent or caregiver and peers): children with language problems less often attended daycare.