Speech therapy screening project in the islands of Lampedusa, Linosa and Ustica

In the general population of 5-year-old children, those with Specific Language Disorders represent about 7%. The difficulties, which are more evident in the first years of life, often continue into school age, for this reason, it is of crucial importance to promptly intercept these health needs to guarantee the management and resolution of linguistic difficulties which, if not treated, will transition to the area of school learning. This work aims to identify children at risk concerning language development. The screening program involved all classes of nursery school and the first and second year of primary school, evaluating possible linguistic problems in the 6-8 age group. The speech therapy screening involved the administration of the Articulation Test. From the analysis of the data, it emerged that 12% of the participants, i.e. 21 children (11 children resident in the municipality of Lampedusa and Linosa, 10 children resident in the municipality of Ustica) were identified as at risk for language delay. For children identified at risk, an in-depth clinical-diagnostic investigation was requested. From this experience of prevention and awareness at an early age for language disorders, the importance of identifying risky situations early on is evident to support the correct evolution of verbal production and avoid that a late intervention could make the most serious situation. Nursery school represents a crucial place and moment for recognizing a possible difficulty. Unfortunately, attention to children's language is not yet optimal and is often directed only to those cases that show obvious signs of delay. This is why early identification of difficulties and timely management by the speech therapist is so important.