MEASURES OF LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY AS PREDICTORS OF BEHAVIORAL DIFFICULTIES, SOCIAL AND COGNITIVE-DEVELOPMENT IN 2-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN

An exploratory study of the relation of language proficiency, behavior al difficulties, and various areas of development was conducted with 6 4 children ranging from 24 to 29 months of age (M=25.7 mo.). Data were obtained through language sampling, direct developmental assessment, and maternal reports of children's development and behavior. While sco res on measures of expressive language abilities were moderately predi ctive of scores on measures of behavior problems, a stronger associati on was found between indices of delayed speech and lower scores on bot h social and cognitive development. The results point to the centralit y of language development to other developmental and behavioral milest ones. Further, findings support the importance of identifying late-tal king children at an early age so that remedial help may be considered.