The study sought to address whether children with persistent speech disorder (who struggle to make themselves understood and may be difficult to understand or barely intelligible) also experience greater levels of social, emotional and behavioural difficulties (SEBD) and are therefore at risk of the associated negative consequences in older life. 

The results showed that children with persistent speech disorder at age eight were more likely to show peer problems at age 10-11 years compared with their peers, as reported by teachers and parents. However, they appear to be no more likely than their peers to report depressive symptoms at age 10 or to become involved in antisocial and risk-taking behaviour at age 11 to 14. 

Identifying the relationships between persistent speech disorder and SEBD can ultimately inform education and health services to ensure that children at risk are identified and offered appropriate support. 

Read the full University of Bristol news item

Paper: ‘Social, emotional and behavioural difficulties associated with persistent speech disorder in children: A prospective population study’ by Yvonne Wren, Emma Pagnamenta, Faith Orchard, Tim J. Peters, Alan Emond, Kate Northstone, Laura Louise Miller, Susan Roulstone in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry Advances [open access].