Association between specific language impairment and behavioral disorders among preschool children

Yudianita Kesuma; Rismarini Rismarini; Theodorus Theodorus; Mutiara Budi Azhar

doi:10.14238/pi54.1.2014.22-7

Yudianita Kesuma Department of Child Health, Medical Research Unit, University of Sriwijaya Medical School /Dr. Moh. Hoesin Hospital, Palembang
Rismarini Rismarini Department of Child Health, Medical Research Unit, University of Sriwijaya Medical School /Dr. Moh. Hoesin Hospital, Palembang
Theodorus Theodorus Department of Child Health, Medical Research Unit, University of Sriwijaya Medical School /Dr. Moh. Hoesin Hospital, Palembang
Mutiara Budi Azhar Department of Child Health, Medical Research Unit, University of Sriwijaya Medical School /Dr. Moh. Hoesin Hospital, Palembang

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14238/pi54.1.2014.22-7

Keywords: specific language impairment, behavioral disorder, preschool

Abstract

Background

Specific language impairment (SU) is the most
common developmental disorder in preschool children, causing
serious impairmentE on behavioral development. To date, there have
been few studies on SU and behavioral disorders in Palembang.

Objective

To assess for an association between SU and behavioral
disorders in preschool children in Palembang.

Methods

Subjects in this cross-sectional study were children
who attended kindergarten. Their general characteristics,
developmental history and physical examination results (including
weight and height) were recorded. We administered the Specific
Language Impairment checklist for language impairment and the
Pediatric Symptom Checklist 17 (PSC 17) for behavioral disorders.
Data was analyzed by Chi-square test.

Results

We studied 1,340 children from21 kinderg:irtens in Palembang.
Prevalence of SU was 12.9%, consisting of expressive language
impairment (10.2%), receptive impairment (0.5%) and mixed language
impairment (2 .2%). The prevalence of behavioral disorders was
15.1 %, consisting of internalization disorder (6.0%), externalization
disorder (5.0%), attentive disorder (0.4%), and various combinations
of three disorders (3. 7%). A highly significant association was found
between SU and behavioral disorders (P=0.000; OR=2.082; 95%
CI 1. 419-3 .053. Expressive language impairment was associated with
externalization and mixed behavioral disorders. Mixed language
impairment was associated with internalization, attentive, and mixed
behavioral disorders. Howevei; receptive language disorder was not
associated with any behavioral disorders.

Conclusion

SU is significantly as sociated with behavioral
disorders. With regards to the individual SU types, expressive
language impairment is associated with externalization and mixed
behavioral disorders; mixed language impairment is associated
with internalization, attentive and mixed behavioral disorders;
but receptive language disorder is not associated with behavioral
disorders.

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