The research conducted by Uppsala University and Region Gotland involved over 6,000 children and revealed that new screening tools in child health care are successful in recognizing early language and communication challenges in kids. The findings emphasize the importance of early screening in identifying children who may need support.Anna Fäldt, a specialist speech and language therapist and researcher, emphasizes the significance of speech and language therapy. The Child Health and Parenting (CHAP) research group at Uppsala University has conducted two studies in collaboration with Region Gotland, focusing on early language development and language difficulties. Using data from the medical records of over 6,000 children in Region Gotland from 2016 to 2022, the research demonstrates the effectiveness of new screening tools in child health care for identifying early language and communication difficulties in children. This research provides valuable insights for speech and language therapy.The decision to introduce these methods should be carefully considered, while also taking into account the long-term development of children’s language abilities,” Fäldt emphasizes.
The initial research, published in Acta Paediatrica, examined the effects of implementing Språkfyran. This program involves screening four-year-olds by having a nurse assess the child’s ability to perform tasks such as imitating sounds and identifying pictures. The study analyzed medical records of over 3,500 children and found a significant increase in referrals to speech therapists after the introduction of Språkfyran, rising from 0.4 to 6.9 percent.Paediatrician Anna Levin, who coordinates child health services on Gotland, is pleased with the findings. She believes that the results show that Språkfyran can effectively pinpoint children who require speech therapy at an early stage, which is crucial for child health care. Another study, featured in BMJ Paediatrics Open, focused on the use of the Infant-Toddler Checklist (ITC) during the 18-month visit to child health services. The ITC is a questionnaire that asks parents about their child’s play, communication, and language comprehension. The study involved over 2,600 children and evaluated the effectiveness of the ITC.The ITC implementation resulted in a 93% screening rate and increased referrals to child speech and language therapy, indicating its effectiveness in early identification of communication and language disorders. Researcher Anton Dahlberg emphasized the impact of effective screening tools in providing support to children with delayed speech and language development. The study was funded by Länsförsäkringar Gotland. Journal Reference: Anton Dahlberg, AnnaLevin, Anna Erica Fäldt. Implementation of the Infant-Toddler Checklist in Swedish child health services at 18 months: an observational study. BMJ Paediatrics Open, 2024; 8 (1): e002406 DOI: 10.1136/bmjpo-2023-002406