title: Language proficiency, development, and behavioral difficulties in toddlers.
abstract: The aim of this cross-sectional descriptive study was to explore the relation of language proficiency, behavioral difficulties, and development in infants and toddlers. Surveyed were 118 parents/caregivers of preschool children (76 boys, 42 girls). The children were a mean age of 27 months (range, 18-35 months), and 32 (27.1%) had no language delay, 8 (6.8%) had expressive delay, 14 (11.9%) had receptive delay, and 64 (54.2%) had mixed receptive-expressive delay. Children with expressive delay were more likely to have social-emotional problems. Those with receptive delay were more likely to have pervasive developmental problems. Children with receptive-expressive delay were more substantially delayed in all developmental domains; they were more withdrawn and more likely to have pervasive developmental problems. When parents of toddlers report problems, especially behavior problems, a search for delayed language is warranted as these children may be at risk for future social and emotional problems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. rtervo@gillettechildrens.com
authors.forename: Raymond C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Tervo
mesh_terms: D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014888:Wechsler Scales