Surveillance of Sleep Problems and Risk Factors for Speech Language Impairment in Young Children
Project Description:
Sleep problems in early childhood adversely impact developing speech, language and communication skills. Both sleep problems and speech-language delays peak during the preschool years (2-5). In typically developing preschoolers, 20%-50% experience short sleep duration, behavioral sleep problems (BSP) and/or sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). In children with developmental delays and disabilities (DDs), up to 80% experience disturbed sleep. This study will: 1) Pilot Sleep Problem Screening- by Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) at a multi-disciplinary pediatric center serving low-income, ethnic minority children, and; 2) Describe BSP and SDB Symptom Prevalence- using validated screening tools in a heterogeneous sample of 150 children aged 2-5 years seen for SLP treatment.
Our project fills gaps in: a) screening for sleep problems across pediatric settings, and b) translating knowledge about sleep problem effects upon language development, into practice. Significance: The functional effects of poor sleep and many DDs coincide with SLPs scope of practice: speech, language, and communication. Speech-language therapy is the most common early intervention/ special education service received by children < 6 years old. Among the nation's 2-5 year olds, 8% have a speech-language disorder. Long-term goals are to increase sleep disorder surveillance and detection of (remediable) risk factors for SL impairment.
Keyword(s):
sleep speech-language
Core Function(s):
Performing Research or Evaluation
Area of Emphasis
Health-Related Activities
Target Audience:
Family Members/Caregivers, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Geographic Areas, Urban
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Single-County
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
