Some Evidence on the Relationship Between Otitis Media and Specific Developmental Language Disorders

摘要

The occurrence of otitis media in 137 children with specific developmental language disorder was investigated. This was compared to data from a control group which consisted of an equal number of children with other psychiatric disorders according to the ICD10. It was found that the language disordered children had significantly more episodes of otitis media that the control group. Within group comparisons in the experimental group showed that those children with episodes of otitis media made significant progress during therapy, when compared with their otitis-free peers. It appears therefore that, although otitis media is a compounding factor on the initial language disorder, it does not necessarily hinder children from attaining positive therapeutic goals.