BMJ paediatrics open
Factors associated with language difficulties and special educational needs among children with language difficulties: a retrospective cohort study
By Sancak E, Mete Yesil A, Omercioglu E and 3 others.
Abstract
Background
Language difficulties are a prevalent developmental concern, but prognostic heterogeneity makes early identification of high-risk children challenging. This study aimed to investigate factors associated with language difficulties and to identify early predictors of special educational needs (SEN) in Turkish-speaking children.
Methods
A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary paediatric hospital in Türkiye. The analytical cohort for the analysis of factors associated with language difficulties consisted of 255 children with language difficulties and 51 children who were judged to have typical development after evaluation, all initially referred for speech delay between May 2014 and May 2021. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent associations.