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Late talkers' usually catch up without other problems
Up to 18% of children worldwide are so-called "late talkers" but most of them develop language skills by the time they enter kindergarten, according to a study in the latest edition of Pediatrics.
In an effort to examine possible psychological problems in children who are slower to develop their verbal skills, Australian researchers looked at whether language delay at age 2 could be linked to other behavioral problems later in childhood and adolescence.
Most parents know the relationship between ages and stages in a child's growth. But pediatricians say young children develop differently, especially when it comes to walking and talking.
Your child's developmental stages
Before this study, research had shown that certain behaviors, along with slow speech development, may lead to other problems as a child gets older.
In the Australian study, investigators followed more than 2,800 families from childbirth through the 17th birthday and tracked behavioral and emotional development. Researchers found children who were late talkers had, at age 2, a slightly higher level of behavioral and emotional problems than tots who were already talking. But the majority of late talkers were at no greater risk of developing emotional problems later on in life.
Study authors concluded these findings support a wait-and-see approach for late talkers with otherwise normal development. But they also noted the previous scientific evidence linking persistent language problems with issues such as shyness, fearfulness, and disruptive behavior, as precursors to more serious psychosocial problems as children get older.
'Late talkers' usually catch up without other problems – The Chart - CNN.com Blogs
Up to 18% of children worldwide are so-called "late talkers" but most of them develop language skills by the time they enter kindergarten, according to a study in the latest edition of Pediatrics.
In an effort to examine possible psychological problems in children who are slower to develop their verbal skills, Australian researchers looked at whether language delay at age 2 could be linked to other behavioral problems later in childhood and adolescence.
Most parents know the relationship between ages and stages in a child's growth. But pediatricians say young children develop differently, especially when it comes to walking and talking.
Your child's developmental stages
Before this study, research had shown that certain behaviors, along with slow speech development, may lead to other problems as a child gets older.
In the Australian study, investigators followed more than 2,800 families from childbirth through the 17th birthday and tracked behavioral and emotional development. Researchers found children who were late talkers had, at age 2, a slightly higher level of behavioral and emotional problems than tots who were already talking. But the majority of late talkers were at no greater risk of developing emotional problems later on in life.
Study authors concluded these findings support a wait-and-see approach for late talkers with otherwise normal development. But they also noted the previous scientific evidence linking persistent language problems with issues such as shyness, fearfulness, and disruptive behavior, as precursors to more serious psychosocial problems as children get older.
'Late talkers' usually catch up without other problems – The Chart - CNN.com Blogs
