Language learning impairments: A 30-year follow-up of language impaired children with and without psychiatric, neurological and cognitive difficulties

TY - JOUR

T1 - Language learning impairments

T2 - A 30-year follow-up of language impaired children with and without psychiatric, neurological and cognitive difficulties

AU - Elbro, Carsten

AU - Dalby, Mogens

AU - Maarslet, Stine

PY - 2011

Y1 - 2011

N2 - Aims: This study investigated the long-term consequences of language impairments for academic, educational and socio-economic outcomes. It also assessed the unique contributions of childhood measures of speech and language, non-verbal IQ, and of psychiatric and neurological problems. Aims: Methods & Procedures: The study was a 30-year follow-up of 198 participants originally diagnosed with language impairments at 3-9 years. Childhood diagnoses were based on language and cognitive abilities, social maturity, motor development, and psychiatric and neurological signs. At follow-up the participants responded to a questionnaire about literacy, education, employment, economic independence and family status. The response rate was 42% (198/470). Outcomes & Results: At follow-up a majority of the participants reported literacy difficulties, unemployment and low socio-economic statusâat rates significantly higher than in the general population. Participants diagnosed as children with specific language impairments had significantly better outcomes than those with additional diagnoses, even when non-verbal IQ was normal or statistically controlled. Childhood measures accounted for up to 52% of the variance in adult outcomes. Conclusions & Implications: Psychiatric and neurological comorbidity is relevant for adult outcomes of language impairments even when non-verbal IQ is normal.

AB - Aims: This study investigated the long-term consequences of language impairments for academic, educational and socio-economic outcomes. It also assessed the unique contributions of childhood measures of speech and language, non-verbal IQ, and of psychiatric and neurological problems. Aims: Methods & Procedures: The study was a 30-year follow-up of 198 participants originally diagnosed with language impairments at 3-9 years. Childhood diagnoses were based on language and cognitive abilities, social maturity, motor development, and psychiatric and neurological signs. At follow-up the participants responded to a questionnaire about literacy, education, employment, economic independence and family status. The response rate was 42% (198/470). Outcomes & Results: At follow-up a majority of the participants reported literacy difficulties, unemployment and low socio-economic statusâat rates significantly higher than in the general population. Participants diagnosed as children with specific language impairments had significantly better outcomes than those with additional diagnoses, even when non-verbal IQ was normal or statistically controlled. Childhood measures accounted for up to 52% of the variance in adult outcomes. Conclusions & Implications: Psychiatric and neurological comorbidity is relevant for adult outcomes of language impairments even when non-verbal IQ is normal.

M3 - Journal article

SN - 1368-2822

VL - 46

SP - 437

EP - 448

JO - International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders

JF - International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders

IS - 4

ER -