Communication Disorders and Emotional/Behavioral Disorders in Children and Adolescents

¹ Brown University Program in Medicine Providence, RI and Bradley Hospital East Providence, RI
² Bradley Hospital East Providence, RI

Recent research in child psychiatry has demonstrated a high prevalence of speech, language, and communication disorders in children referred to psychiatric and mental health settings for emotional and behavioral problems. Conversely, children referred to speech and language clinics for communication disorders have been found to have a high rate of diagnosable psychiatric disorders. Most of the emerging knowledge regarding relationships between communication disorders and psychiatric disorders has been presented in the child psychiatric literature. Speech-language pathologists and audiologists also need to be familiar with this information; an understanding of the complex interrelationships between communication disorders and emotional and behavioral disorders is important for diagnosis, assessment, and treatment. The purpose of this article is to review recent research and discuss clinical implications for professionals in speech-language pathology and audiology working with children and adolescents who have, or who are at risk for, developing emotional and behavioral disorders. Issues to be addressed include differential diagnosis, prevention, intervention, and the role of speech-language pathologists serving these children and adolescents.

Key Words: emotional disorders • behavioral disorders • communication disorders • psychiatric disorders • speech-language pathologists

Submitted on July 18, 1988
Accepted on April 26, 1989

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