Abstract

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Background
Keywords
Findings
Authors
What is already known on this subject?
What does this study add?

Background

Speech and language skills are an important developmental milestone for all children, and one of the most prevalent forms of developmental delay among Aboriginal children. However, population-based indicators of Aboriginal children's language outcomes are limited.

Data and Methods

Data from the Aboriginal Children's Survey (ACS) were used to examine measures of language for Aboriginal children who were 2 to 5 years of age. Responses to ACS questions on ability in any language were examined in exploratory factor analyses to determine possible language indicators. Construct validity was examined by regressing language outcomes onto socio-demographic characteristics known to be associated with children's language.

Results

Four language outcomes were identified and labelled: expressive language, mutual understanding, story-telling, and speech and language difficulties.

Interpretation

The conceptualization of items from the ACS into separate language indicators can be used by researchers examining young Aboriginal children's language outcomes.

Keywords

Comprehension, language delay, language development, speech disorders, verbal learning

Findings

One of the most prevalent forms of developmental delay among Aboriginal children pertains to language, with speech-language difficulties being reported by parents of up to 10% of Aboriginal children. Speech-language deficits and delays account for the largest percentage of diagnoses of special needs. [Full Text]

Author

Leanne C. Findlay (613-951-4648; leanne.findlay@statcan.gc.ca) and Dafna E. Kohen (613-951-3346; dafna.kohen@statcan.gc.ca) are with the Health Analysis Division at Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0T6.