Interactions with youth justice and associated costs for young people with speech, language and communication needs

Abstract

Background: Individuals with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) are at greater risk of contact with the criminal justice system. Diagnosis and appropriate treatment of SLCN reduces these risks, leading to better life outcomes for the individual as well as broader social and economic benefits. These youth represent a particularly high-priority group for research into language deficits, as the juvenile justice system involves situations with a high risk or serious consequences that rely upon the application of effective language skills. Whilst some studies have established some gains in speech and communication from speech pathology (SP) interventions during custody, there is limited evidence on the long-term impact of these gains following release from custody.Similarly, few studies have directly measured the cost savings associated with early SP on subsequent youth antisocial behaviour and crime. Aims:To estimate the youth antisocial behaviours, youth justice (YJ) contacts and associated costs (from a justice perspective) of childhood SLCN.Methods & Procedures: Using 12 years of data from a longitudinal study of Australian children and young people, we employ a panel fixed-effects model to explore the relationship between SLCN and youth antisocial behaviour and youth offending between 12 and 17 years of age. Using these results, we estimate the cost of SLCN and subsequent cost savings associated with identification of SLCN.

Language disorder and internalizing mental health problems in youth offenders: A systematic review

“…A better understanding of the co-occurrence of language disorder and anxiety and/or depression may contribute to improved identification of these problems in youth involved across all points of the justice system. This may support a reduction in the risk of offending (Cronin & Addo, 2021;Mallett, 2014;Winstanley et al, 2018). As part of this review, a secondary aim was to assess the homogeneity of the measures being used across the literature to assess language abilities and internalizing mental health problems in youth offenders.…”