Association between specific language impairment and behavioral disorders among preschool children

Abstract

Background Specific language impairment (SLI) is the most common developmental disorder in preschool children, causing serious impairments on behavioral development. To date, there have been few studies on SLI and behavioral disorders in Palembang. Objective To assess for an association between SLI 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 Data was analyzed by Chi-square test. Results externalization and mixed behavioral disorders. Mixed language impairment was associated with internalization, attentive, and mixed behavioral disorders. However, receptive language disorder was not associated with any behavioral disorders. Conclusion SLI is significantly associated with behavioral disorders. With regards to the individual SLI 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. [Paediatr Indones. 2014;54:22-7.].