Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders in Children with Speech and Language Disorders

A representative sample of 5-year-old kindergarten children was assessed for speech and language disorders. Those identified as having a speech/language disorder (N = 142) as well as a matched control group, were then assessed for behavioral or emotional problems by parents, teachers, and by a psychiatrist. Results indicated that the speech/language-impaired group was more likely than the control group to (1) show behavioral disturbance according to teachers and a primary parent (usually the mother); (2) be diagnosed as having some DSM-III Axis I disorder, particularly Attention Deficit Disorder; and (3) suffer from psychosocial stressors. Not only was the speech/language-impaired group at a relatively higher risk for psychiatric disorder; this level of risk was relatively high, ranging from 22.1% (parents) to 48.7% (psychiatric evaluation). Surprisingly, speech/language-impaired girls were consistently at greater risk than were speech/language-impaired boys; the percentage of girls rated in the clinical range varied from 37.0% (teachers) to 44.9% (parents), while the figures for the boys were 23.0% and 25.0%. These results argue strongly for increased support to the health and educational systems dealing with these children, better screening for behavioral and emotional problems among the girls, and further research investigating the factors associated with these disorders.