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Speech and language impairment: A neglected issue for abused and neglected children

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 February 2016

Kellie Grant  and
Fred Gravestock
Kellie Grant
Affiliation:
Abused Child Trust, PO Box 94, Albion, Qld 4010. Tel: (07) 3857 8866 Email: [email protected]
Fred Gravestock
Affiliation:
Abused Child Trust PO Box 94, Albion, Qld 4010
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Abstract

Speech and language impairment in the context of children who have experienced abuse and neglect is not well documented, with only a handful of controlled studies and research reviews on the relationships between maltreatment and children's communication development. More prevalent in the literature are reports on the deleterious effects of child abuse and neglect on overall childhood development, purporting effects on cognitive, affective, social and neurological development. However, the growth of communication skills is integral to a child's early development and is closely related to cognitive and social-emotional development. The experience of abuse and/or neglect has profound implications for a child's developing communication, supporting the inclusion of speech pathology in approaches to working with children and families in abusive and neglectful environments. This article reviews the literature on the relationship between communication development and childhood abuse and neglect. Data collected during the course of speech pathology intervention for abused and neglected children attending the Abused Child Trust's (Queensland) counselling service is also presented in order to highlight the need for the inclusion of this therapeutic modality in managing the developmental needs of this population of children.

Type
Research Article
Information
Children Australia , Volume 28 , Issue 4 , 2003 , pp. 4 - 11
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2003

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