Screening for Speech and Language Delay and Disorders in Children: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

Authors

Michael J. Barry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Wanda K. Nicholson, George Washington University, Washington, DC.
Michael Silverstein, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
David Chelmow, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond.
Tumaini Rucker Coker, University of Washington, Seattle.
Esa M. Davis, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore.
Katrina E. Donahue, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Carlos Roberto Jaén, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.
Li Li, University of Virginia, Charlottesville.
Carol M. Mangione, University of California, Los Angeles.
Gbenga Ogedegbe, New York University, New York, New York.
Goutham Rao, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
John M. Ruiz, University of Arizona, Tucson.
James Stevermer, University of Missouri, Columbia.
Joel Tsevat, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.
Sandra Millon Underwood, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
John B. Wong, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-23-2024

Journal

JAMA

Volume

331

Issue

4

DOI

10.1001/jama.2023.26952

Abstract

IMPORTANCE: Speech and language delays and disorders can pose significant problems for children and their families. Evidence suggests that school-aged children with speech or language delays may be at increased risk of learning and literacy disabilities, including difficulties with reading and writing. OBJECTIVE: The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) commissioned a systematic review to evaluate benefits and harms of screening for speech and language delay and disorders in children 5 years or younger. POPULATION: Asymptomatic children 5 years or younger whose parents or clinicians do not have specific concerns about their speech, language, hearing, or development. EVIDENCE ASSESSMENT: The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for speech and language delay and disorders in children who do not present with signs or symptoms or parent/caregiver concerns. RECOMMENDATION: The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for speech and language delay and disorders in children 5 years or younger without signs or symptoms. (I statement).

APA Citation

Barry, Michael J.; Nicholson, Wanda K.; Silverstein, Michael; Chelmow, David; Coker, Tumaini Rucker; Davis, Esa M.; Donahue, Katrina E.; Jaén, Carlos Roberto; Li, Li; Mangione, Carol M.; Ogedegbe, Gbenga; Rao, Goutham; Ruiz, John M.; Stevermer, James; Tsevat, Joel; Underwood, Sandra Millon; and Wong, John B., "Screening for Speech and Language Delay and Disorders in Children: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement" (2024). GW Authored Works. Paper 4134.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/4134

Department

Prevention and Community Health