Language and social/emotional problems identified at a universal developmental assessment at 30 months.

• Background Preschool language and neurodevelopmental problems often persist and impe de learning. The aims of the current study are to assess the uptake of a new univer sal 30 month health visitor contact and to quantify the prevalence of language delay and social/emotional dif ficulties. Methods All families of 30 month old children in four Glasgow localities were offered a visit from their health visitor. Structured data were collected relating t o language, social and emotional development using three instruments; The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), the abbreviated Sure Start Language Measure and a two-item language s creen. Results From an eligible population of 543 children, there was a 90% return rat e of contact forms from the health visitors, and assessments were completed on 78% of e ligible children. Visit completion rates did not differ significantly by socio-economic st atus. 3-8% of children were reported to have language delay depending on the method of asses sment. 8.8% of children scored in the “abnormal” range of SDQ total difficulties scores and 31.1% had an abnormality in at least one subscale. There was substantial over lap between language delay and abnormal scores on the SDQ. Conclusions Universal assessment of neurodevelopmental function at 30 months identifi ed a significant proportion of children, including those previously considered at low risk, wit h both language and social/emotional difficulties. Further work is required to asses s the precise nature of these difficulties and to assess the potential impact on services.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Psykiatri (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Psychiatry (hsv//eng)

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