Did You Know How Specific Learning Impairment (SLI) Affects School Aged Children?
What is Specific Language Impairment (SLI)?
– Specific Language Impairment (SLI) is one of the most common language disorders and may affect 1 in every 7 children.
Why is it important to identify children with SLI?
– Children identified with SLI in early childhood are at risk of subsequent achievement and adjustment difficulties in the early school years.
Children with SLI…
a) Have more difficulties with literacy areas such as spelling, using words to form sentences, reading comprehension, phonological awareness, and writing.
b) Are less proficient in their numeracy and mathematical thinking.
c) Are less well-adjusted in approaches to learning – such as being organized, persistent and adaptable, eager to learn, and able to work independently.
d) Are more prone to behavioural difficulties in class and find it difficult to initiate communication and formulate their responses appropriately
Research studies show that these difficulties in school learning are likely to have long-term impacts on a child’s:
a) School career,
b) Occupational outcomes and
c) Social interactions and relationships.
Early identification and interventions is the key to improving both communication and literacy difficulties. Their needs can be assessed and addressed effectively, in order to provide support as they make the transition from early childhood to formal schooling.
Parent-reported speech and language concern is a useful means of identifying children with SLI in early childhood (age 4-5 years).
Summarised from a study of 3632 children in ‘an Australian study: Literacy, numeracy, and learning in school-aged children identified as having speech and language impairment in early childhood, 2009’ in International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, Oct 2009