J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.  2006 Aug;30(4):309-314.

Diagnosis of Speech Disorder and Language Developmental Delay in Korean Preschoolers

• Kwon JY
• Kim JS
• Woo AM
• Kim HJ
• Chung ME
• Kim HS
• Ko YJ

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.

Keyword

Language developmental delay; Phonological disorder; Denver Developmental Screening Test; Hearing impairment; Psychiatric disorder

MeSH Terms

Anxiety Disorders
Child
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Diagnosis*
Hearing
Hearing Loss
Humans
Language Development Disorders
Language Development*
Mass Screening
Otitis Media
Prevalence