The Effect of the Label “Language-Delayed” on Speech-Language Pathologists

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the labels “language delayed” and “normal” on behavioural ratings and willingness to agree/disagree with the pre-information label (diagnosis) supplied to speech-language clinicians at two levels of professional experience.Twenty “inexperienced” speech-language pathology undergraduate students and 20 “experienced” graduate speech-language pathologists (professionals) rated a 20 minute videotape sample of a “normal” or “language-delayed” child. Pre-information labels were assigned to each child and were systematically varied. There were no significant effects for the amount of professional experience. In addition, there were no significant effects when subjects were asked to rate specific behaviours. However, there was a significant pre-information labelling bias when clinicians were asked to agree or disagree with the label (diagnosis). This bias occurred regardless of the label which was assigned.