title: Thai speech and language norms for children 2 1/2 to 4 years of age.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To create a Thai speech and language assessment tool and norms for children between 2 1/2 and 4 years of age (TSLT21/2-4).
  
  
  METHODS
  The Thai speech and language assessment tool was created for children between 2 1/2 and 4 years of age using existing Thai and English speech and language development theory, research results and tests. In order to validate the norms, the speech and language skills were prospectively assessed in 4,169 normal children representing the five regions of Thailand. Language quotients, percentiles and Conbrach's Alpha coefficients were calculated for use as a reference for Thai language development norms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Speech and language norms for children age 2 1/2-4 years were presented. Most of the Cronbach's Alpha coefficients were good (equal or more than 70%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Thai speech and language assessment tools and norms are useful for the assessment of speech and language for children with risk for delayed speech and language development (e.g., individuals with cleft lip and palate, global development delay, autism) in Thailand. The norms can also provide the guideline for "intervention planning".
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand. benjamas@kku.ac.th
authors.forename: Benjamas
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Prathanee
authors.forename: Preeya
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lorwatanapongsa
authors.forename: Kalyanee
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Makarabhirom
authors.forename: Worawan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wattanawongsawang
mesh_terms: D044466:Asian People; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007804:Language Development; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D007807:Language Tests; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013062:Speech Articulation Tests / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D013066:Speech-Language Pathology; D013785:Thailand