The Prevalence of Speech and Language Impairment in Two Sydney Metropolitan Schools

Abstract

Children from kindergarten through grade 6 in two mainstream Sydney metropolitan schools were assessed for speech and/or language impairment. The two schools were selected to represent children from a range of socio-economic status groups and to include children from disadvantaged and non-English speaking backgrounds. Of the 437 children assessed, 145 were estimated to be speech and/or language impaired. The proportion of children with a communication impairment was estimated to be from 28.8% to 37.6% (95% confidence interval). Estimated prevalence results for impairments of voice, articulation/phonology, language and stuttering are presented, as well as results for pupils of non-English speaking backgrounds.