Search

The early identification of speech and language delays is a crucial first step in the effective prevention of developmental and socioemotional problems. Children's early cognitive and language development has bearing on later development and readiness for learning and social competence. The Speech and Language Pathology Early Screening Instrument (SLPESI) was developed to identify possible speech and language delays in 18 to 21-month-old children. The purpose of the present study was to pilot the SLPESI and assess its ability to identify speech and language delays in children of this age group. A total of 252 children, aged 17-23 months, participated in the SLPESI. The test took less than five minutes to administer. Of the 252 children screened, 56 (22%) were recommended for assessment by a Speech and Language Pathologist (S-LP) based on the results of the questionnaire. Of those recommended, 34 came in for assessment and 31 (91%) were assessed and diagnosed with speech and language delays ranging from mild to severe. In order to examine the reliability of the SLPESI, 19 children who passed the initial screening procedure were brought in for a follow-up assessment. Of these, 18 had age-appropriate speech and language skills and one had a mild to moderate speech and language delay. The SLPESI proved to be a quick and effective screening instrument that may help predict speech and language delays in children 18-21 months of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]