Long-term consistency in speech/language profiles: II. Behavioral, emotional, and social outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the 7-year behavioral, emotional, and social outcome of speech/language-impaired and control children selected from a community sample.


METHODS
Speech/language and psychosocial measures were administered to the children at ages 5 and 12.5 years. Using children's age 5 speech/language test results, a cluster analysis was performed to ascertain whether specific linguistic subgroups would emerge. The association between speech/language cluster at age 5 and psychosocial functioning at age 12.5 was examined.


RESULTS
Children with receptive and pervasive speech/language problems at age 5 demonstrated greater behavioral disturbance than children without such impairment. Controlling for initial behavioral status, early childhood language profile was still associated with behavioral and social competence ratings, 7 years later. Children without receptive language problems showed superior social adjustment.


CONCLUSIONS
Empirically supported speech/language classifications identified as early as age 5 were associated with behavioral disturbance in late childhood. Receptive and pervasive speech/language impairment in early childhood was associated with the greatest risk at follow-up. Early auditory comprehension problems may be a specific risk factor for later aggressive and hyperactive symptoms. These findings identify the need for effective intervention with speech/language-impaired children.
Beitchman
J H
JH
Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, Toronto, Canada.
Wilson
B
B
Brownlie
E B
EB
Walters
H
H
Inglis
A
A
Lancee
W
W
D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D007807:Language Tests; D008297:Male; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy