title: Measures of language outcomes using the Aboriginal Children's Survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Speech and language skills are an important developmental milestone for all children, and one of the most prevalent forms of developmental delay among Aboriginal children. However, population-based indicators of Aboriginal children's language outcomes are limited.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from the Aboriginal Children's Survey (ACS) were used to examine measures of language for Aboriginal children who were 2 to 5 years of age. Responses to ACS questions on ability in any language were examined in exploratory factor analyses to determine possible language indicators. Construct validity was examined by regressing language outcomes onto socio-demographic characteristics known to be associated with children's language.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four language outcomes were identified and labelled: expressive language, mutual understanding, story-telling, and speech and language difficulties.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The conceptualization of items from the ACS into separate language indicators can be used by researchers examining young Aboriginal children's language outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Health Analysis Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0T6. leanne.findlay@statcan.gc.ca
authors.forename: Leanne C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Findlay
authors.forename: Dafna E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Kohen
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002663:Child Language; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D007804:Language Development; D007806:Language Disorders; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: comprehension; language delay; language development; speech disorders; verbal learning