7.3 Self-Report of Deficits in Receptive, Expressive, and Pragmatic Social Language by Youth Ages 11 to 18 Years

Abstract

Language competency skills are the foundation of thinking, learning, and social interaction. Little attention is given to evaluation of this critical issue in typical health and mental health settings or in those programs. Professionals, families, and societies take them for granted, and they are infrequently identified in clinical practice. Attendees will: 1) develop improved awareness of deficits of language disorders and their prevalence in pediatric clinic populations through a study of self-report by youth ages 11 to 18 years across a range of psychiatric services; 2) understand how even mild communication deficits lead to significant emotional and behavior problems; and 3) become familiar with approaches to early identification of communication deficits through recognition and early screening.