title: A method of screening for communication disorders in child psychiatric inpatients.
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.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Scahill
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003147:Communication Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing; D012017:Referral and Consultation