Speech language follow-up study : predictability of early measurements

Includes bibliographical references.With in the field of speech language pathology there is much research concerning predictability of children's early speech language measurements in contrast to their language level later on. However, among this research much is variable among agreement. The acquired speech language skills of toddlers aged 21-24 months from the DeKalb, IL area were assessed by using standardized and non-standardized measures. The initial testing was completed by Dr. Sherrill Morris. She assessed the early communication skills using the Macarthur Communication Developmental Inventory and Ages and Stages Developmental Screenings. A language sample analyses was also recorded. From this sample population, we took three middle class white males and reassessed their speech language skills three years later. A standardized articulation test, phonological processing test, and a language test were administered at this time. The purpose of this retesting was to determine if early speech behaviors can be predict later communication skills. A study conducted by Alan B. Smith influenced the research question proposed. Smith and his colleagues evaluated whether developmental reading disability could be predicted at the age of 30 months. The measures that he used were very similar to ours: the reason why we used his study and based it off of our findings. We tested three children who were typical at 21-24 months of age. Three years later when follow-up assessment was completed Subject H is found to by atypical and can be said to have a mild/speech language impairment. His score on the GFTA, (standard articulation test) 14% tile, categorizes him as atypical. We can ask ourselves was there something different in his early measurements than the other two subjects? Subject H had a faster articulation rate than subject D and subject C. However, there is no known normal articulation rate found for toddlers which does imply the large range for this measure.B.S. (Bachelor of Science