Diagnosis of Speech Disorder and Language Developmental Delay in Korean Preschoolers

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed for evaluating the clinical usefulness of the Korean Denver Developmental Screening Test II (KDDST II) for screening of speech-language delays, for evaluating the co-morbidity of psychiatric disorders and examining the prevalence of hearing impairment in speech-language delays. METHOD: Fifty eight preschoolers whose chief complaints fell into 'late talker', 'dysarticulation' or 'stuttering' performed KDDST II, speech-language evaluation and hearing screening. Psychiatric consultation was performed if the child had any behavioral or emotional red flags. RESULTS: More than 50% were classified as 'language delay only', 25.9% as 'language delay with speech disorder', 22.4% as 'phonological disorder only'. Eleven children (34.4%) with language delay were classified as 'global developmental delay'. Sensitivity of KDDST II as a screening tool of language delay was only 84.4%. Two cases of hearing impairment and 3 cases of complicated otitis media were detected by hearing screening. Seventeen children (29.3%) also had psychiatric disorders such as attention deficit hyperactive disorder, anxiety disorder, and autism spectrum disorder. CONCLUSION: Evaluation of whole spectrums of development and hearing screening were recommended in the children with speech-language delays. Psychiatric consultation should be also considered in a case of any behavioral or emotional concerns.