Language problems in children from1 to 18 months

Abstract

Children learn language from the early life stages when interacting with their primary caregivers and their environment. There are environmental and biological factors of risk that may compromise language learning. A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study with 18 children (9 girls and 9 boys) from 1 to 18 months old in the city of Xalapa, Veracruz was performed. The general development and language was assessed with two instruments: Evaluation of Child Development (EDI) and Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID-II). The aim was to identify the language difficulties of children from 1 to 18 months old. Significant associations of the language scores with the Mental Development Index (MDI) from BSID-II were found. In children aged 1 to 24 months old, periodic language assessments should be performed in order to prevent further difficulties in basic learning.