title: Measures of language proficiency as predictors of behavioral difficulties, social and cognitive development in 2-year-old children.
abstract: An exploratory study of the relation of language proficiency, behavioral difficulties, and various areas of development was conducted with 64 children ranging from 24 to 29 months of age (M = 25.7 mo.). Data were obtained through language sampling, direct developmental assessment, and maternal reports of children's development and behavior. While scores on measures of expressive language abilities were moderately predictive of scores on measures of behavior problems, a stronger association was found between indices of delayed speech and lower scores on both social and cognitive development. The results point to the centrality of language development to other developmental and behavioral milestones. Further, findings support the importance of identifying late-talking children at an early age so that remedial help may be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Wyoming, Laramie 82071, USA.
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Carson
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Klee
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Perry
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Donaghy
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Muskina
mesh_terms: D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D012917:Social Adjustment