Recognizing the Warning Signs of Social Emotional Difficulties in Language Impaired Toddlers and Preschoolers

• —Explain the connection between late language development and social emotional functioning
• —Describe manifestations of emotional behavioral difficulties in young children with language deficits
• —List formal and informal assessments relevant to toddlers and preschoolers
• —Explain why the warning signs of significant emotional behavioral manifestations in young children warrant a referral to related professionals
  • —Psychologists
  • Psychiatrists

Slide Content:

• Language impairment and psychiatric comorbidities
• How early do these difficulties show?
• Do the parents always see it?
• are there discrepancies between parents and teachers?
• What should we track with respect to behavior?
• What are some warning signs of behavioral difficulties?
• It’s not just autism that’s a concern
• Common Psychiatric Disorders in Children 2-5 years of age
• Let’s talk personal observations
  • Psychiatric Hospital
  • Private Practice (with focus on psychiatric disorders)
• Are all language delayed toddlers/preschoolers at risk?
• When do you really see behavior issues in full effect?
• Let’s Talk Assessment
• Preparing for Assessment: Parental Interview
• During the Assessment
• Language Sample and Complex Sentences:  Did you know..?
• Narrative Assessment Overview
• Narrative Ages and Stages
• What can narratives yield about the child?
• Standardized Instruments Sensitive to Social Pragmatic Deficits
• Checklists Sensitive to Behavior Difficulties in Toddlers and Preschoolers
• Reviewing the Language Findings
• Comparing Results
• What to do next?
• Conclusion
• References
• Helpful Resources
• Contact Information