Predictors and correlates of developmental language problems: A longitudinal study from infancy to pre-school age [ 2003 - 2007 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Sheena Reilly (Principal investigator) ,  A/Pr Joanne Williams ,  Prof Edith Bavin ,  Prof Margot Prior ,  Prof Melissa Wake

Brief description Language impairment is a disabling condition, thought to affect between 7% and 15% of 4 year old children. It has serious and lasting implications for social and emotional development, cognition, behaviour and literacy. A link has been demonstrated between language impairment and later psychiatric disorders in adolescence and adulthood. Given the potential of enhancing the language development of young children, it is critical that effective prevention and early intervention programs are available. However, current knowledge is liminted in that there are no entirely satisfactory methods for detecting children who at much younger ages, 8 months, 12 months, 2 years and 3 years, are at risk of later impairment. In this study we aim to: examine the risk factors (many are thought to exist) that contribute to language impairment learn more about the natural history of this disabling disorder in children between 8 months and 4 years of age Ultimately, we aim to identify early signs that might warn health professionals and parents of language impairment so that such problems can be detected much earlier. Early identification will mean that help is available at an earlier age to children who currently go on to have persisting and extremely disabling language impairment.

Funding Amount $AUD 537,750.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant