During Phase 3, the communication skills of 157 children were assessed to determine the presence and severity of speech impairment, and the co-occurrence of other difficulties. 143 of these children had been identified by parents and/or teachers as having 'difficulty talking and making speech sounds.'
Findings revealed:
- Most children were identified as having moderate to severe speech impairment as measured by a standardised speech assessment
- Speech impairment often co-occurred with other areas of difficulty, especially language impairment (e.g., using incorrect grammar) and pre-literacy impairment (e.g., difficulty recognising sounds and letters)
