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Observation method identifies that a lack of canonical babbling can indicate future speech and language problems
Author(s) -
Lohmander A,
Holm K,
Eriksson S,
Lieberman M
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.13816
Subject(s) - babbling , medical diagnosis , medicine , audiology , pediatrics , linguistics , radiology , philosophy
Aim We investigated how accurate observations of canonical babbling ( CB ) were and explored predictive babbling measures in children with and without medical diagnoses of conditions that can lead to speech and language problems. Methods From 2012 to 2014 this Stockholm‐based study recruited 38 children aged nine months to 21 months with medical diagnoses and 30 children aged 10 months without diagnoses and included 21 previously studied 12‐month‐old children without medical diagnoses. CB and consonant sound production were directly observed by video recording natural play with a caregiver. The percentage of CB was calculated from each recording, and a validated observation form was used. How accurately the children with and without CB were classified was investigated with sensitivity and specificity. The groups were compared using predictive babbling variables. Results The observation method identified children with and without CB well, with a specificity of 0.89 and sensitivity of 0.93, respectively. Children with predictive babbling measures were identified in the clinical group (specificity 0.93–0.97), and a lack of these measures indicated a risk of being in the clinical group (odds ratios > 10). The sensitivity was low (0.32–0.42). Conclusion Observation effectively identified a lack of CB and supported the importance of assessing babbling measures.