Growth of infant communication between 8 and 12 months: a population study.
OBJECTIVE
To describe changes in infant prelinguistic communication skills between 8 and 12 months, and identify factors associated with those skills.


METHODS



METHODS
Parent questionnaire data for a prospective population-based cohort of infants in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia.


METHODS
1911 infants born November 2002-August 2003.


RESULTS
Infant communication (Communication and Symbolic Behaviour Scales (CSBS)) at 8 and 12 months. Potential risk factors: sex; prematurity; multiple birth; sociodemographic indicators; maternal mental health, vocabulary and education; non-English speaking background; and family history of speech-language difficulties. Linear regression models were fitted to total standardised CSBS scores at 8 and 12 months.


RESULTS
Social communication, especially the use of gesture, developed rapidly from 8 to 12 months. Female sex, twin birth, and family history were strongly associated with CSBS scores. The combined model accounted for 5% and 6% of the total variation at 8 and 12 months, respectively. CSBS score at 8 months strongly predicted CSBS score at 12 months (coefficient = 0.56, partial R(2) = 37.0).


CONCLUSIONS
There is a dramatic increase in communication skills between 8 and 12 months, particularly the development of gesture, which (as in previous studies) predates and predicts future language development. Risk factors explained little variation in early communication trajectories and therefore, based on our findings, this developmental course is more likely to be biologically predetermined. Rather than focusing on risk factors, we suggest that language promotion activities in otherwise healthy young infants should either be universal or, if targeted, be based on the level of communication skills displayed.
Reilly
Sheena
S
School of Human Communication Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. S.Reilly@latrobe.edu.au
Eadie
Patricia
P
Bavin
Edith L
EL
Wake
Melissa
M
Prior
Margot
M
Williams
Joanne
J
Bretherton
Lesley
L
Barrett
Yin
Y
Ukoumunne
Obioha C
OC
D001315:Australia; D002663:Child Language; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D009633:Nonverbal Communication / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014427:Twins