Date of Award
4-11-2011
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Communication
First Advisor
John Madden
Abstract
Communication delays in infants and toddlers are significantly under- identified, prohibiting early intervention for many children and their families who might benefit from services. Recognizing communication delays early in life is critical for appropriate brain development to allow children to reach their potential. Researchers have sought to identify earlier and more accurate predictors of delays in communication development. Current approaches to the early identification of young children at risk for communication delay are not sufficiently sensitive to detect early stages of communication delay in all cases. There is a need to develop more sensitive methods for the early detection of communication delays. To do this it is necessary to determine which methods of early detection of communication delay are in use. In North Dakota, children are screened for developmental delays, including communication delays, through the North Dakota Right Track Program. The program provides developmental surveillance and screening for any child from birth to three years of age. The practitioners complete chart notes documenting their surveillance observations and test results. Children with suspected developmental delays are referred to the North Dakota Early Intervention Program for evaluation. This study is a retrospective review of all charts from children referred by the Right Track practitioners to the Early Intervention Program over a six month period.
Recommended Citation
Johnson, Carol A., "Predictors Of Communication Delay In Children In The North Dakota Right Track Program" (2011). Theses and Dissertations. 8097.
https://commons.und.edu/theses/8097