The Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorder in Children with Speech and Language Disorder An Epidemiologic Study

One hundred speech- and language-delayed children (mean age 51/2 years) presenting consecutively to a suburban speech and hearing clinic were evaluted for psychiatric disorders. Fifty-three of these children received at least one psychiatric diagnosis, using the proposed DSM III Criteria. Attentional Deficit Disorder was diagnosed in 19 children, Oppositional Disorder in 13, and various anxiety disorders in 12. These findings confirmed the hypothesis that children with speech and language disorders are at risk for psychiatric disorder. These findings have important implications for speech and language therapists planning comprehensive and effective treatment for such children.