Outcomes of Intervention in Children with Language Difficulties in Bangladesh

Background: Both clinical audits within hospitals, and population-based surveys of childhood disability in Bangladesh, have shown that large numbers of children have speech and language difficulties. This study determined the improvement of language skills of children presenting with difficulties to the Speech, Language and Communication (SLC) clinic of the Child Development Center (CDC) in Dhaka Shishu (Children)  Hospital (DSH). Methodology: This is a retrospective study where records of children enrolled from April 2009 to March 2014, who had visited the SLC Clinic at least 3 times over a span of 6 months were analyzed. Preverbal language skills, comprehension, and expressive language levels were measured informally based upon play and interactive sessions and observation of function.  Interventions involved training parents on informal intervention techniques following some international standard guidelines. Pre and post-intervention observations on preverbal, comprehensive, and expressive language skills were recorded to determine outcomes. Results: Of the 706 enrolled children 11.0%, 79.2%, 9.5%, .3% were  0-<2 years, 2-<5 years, >5-9 and 10-16 years old, respectively. 69.5% of children were males. Preverbal skills (attention span, awaiting, eye contact, attention sharing, turn-taking, copying), comprehension, and expressive language status showed significant improvement between the first and last visit (p= 0.000)  Conclusions: Interactive play, music, books, etc. are important means of improving communication between parents and children. Professionals working with developmentally delayed children need to be trained to utilize these strategies, with the provision of appropriate facilities within clinical settings. A large majority of children can be assisted to overcome delays and optimize their potential.