Early identification of developmental language disorders at 2 years of age

Up to now language screening for routine developmental check-ups have not been evaluated for their accuracy in early identification of developmental language disorders. The goal of this follow-up study was to determine the prognostic validity of the parent questionnaires SBE-2-KT and ELFRA-2. Language skills of 272 children were assessed with SBE-2-KT and ELFRA-2 at 2 years of age and at 3 years of age with SBE-3-KT. Moderate correlations between language abilities at 2 and 3 years of age were found. The sensitivity of SBE-2-KT and ELFRA-2 was 46%, specificity 94%, positive predictive value 59% or 56% and negative predictive value 91%. Short (SBE-2-KT) and long (ELFRA-2) tests did not differ with respect to the prognostic validity. By means of the SBE-2-KT and ELFRA-2 questionnaires late talkers can be detected with high accuracy during developmental check-up at 2 years of age. More than half have a developmental language disorder, therefore an early intervention for late talkers is recommended (e.g. Heidelberger parent training). As not all children with language disorders are late talkers, another language screening is necessary at 3 years of age.