Outcomes

Speech and language play a vital role and a deficit may have significant impact on children in a number of areas such as -:

• Ability to communicate,
• Interaction with other children, self-esteem and ability to build relationships,
• Behaviour,
• Leisure activity e.g. watching television,
• Functional activities like buying things at a shop; and
• Reading, writing and academic performance (Poor literacy and low levels of education caused by communication impairment are linked with an increased risk of criminal behaviour. High numbers of children in young offenders’ institutes have a speech/language disorder)

The communication difficulties and associated problems in childhood may continue into adulthood leaving them at increased risk for a number of problems such as increased emotional difficulties and higher rates of unemployment.

It is very difficult to predict the long term course of a speech and language disorder since many factors influence outcome. With intensive, individualised therapy, a significant number of children with all of forms of speech and language disorders will improve over time to a functional level. Although the evidence suggests that speech and language therapy can help children to make faster progress, it is not always effective in preventing the social and academic problems that accompany these disorders. Further research is needed into the long term effectiveness of different therapies.

In general -:

• The impairment tends to persist if the cause is brain injury, cerebral palsy, autistic spectrum disorder.
• Speech and vocabulary are more easily modified than difficulties with syntax and verbal comprehension. Receptive disorders can be more difficult to treat as they are often diagnosed later.
• Usually, speech problems can be improved with speech therapy.
• Children with Specific Language Impairment (SLI) often have life-long difficulties; however they are likely to be able to communicate functionally.
• The optimum length of therapy depends on the child and the nature of his/her speech/language disorder.
• Developmental Language delay usually resolves by age 5-6 yrs and only about a quarter of ‘late-talkers’ are eventually diagnosed with a language disorder.
• Prognosis improves with early intervention.