Behavior problems in children with speech and language retardation.

A systematic evaluation for speech and language retardation and behavioral disorders were conducted on 100 children (mean age five years, six months) presenting consecutively to a suburban speech and hearing clinic. It revealed that parents, teachers, and an examining psychiatrist agreed that these children frequently had associated behavioral problems, some quite common. This indicated the need for a speech or language therapist to systematically assess a child for possible behavioral problems in order to establish a more comprehensive and effective treatment plan for the child.