Prediction of child language development: A review of literature in early childhood communication disorders

Recently published studies from several journals in Communication and Science Disorders were reviewed to assess the evidence for the major factors that predict child language development in the context of early childhood communication disorders. Seventy-six studies were reviewed, all published between 2004 and 2015. Keywords were developed to choose accurately eligible abstracts to be reviewed: child language development, environmental factors, communication disorders, and predictive factors. Of the 76 eligible abstracts that comprehensively addressed prediction factors of child language development, environmental factors represented the largest portion (45/76 abstracts, 59%), social and genetic factors were second (20/76 - 26%), and valid predictors of child language development delay had the smallest portion (11/76 - 14%). The review revealed the important roles of social class, family history, environmental, and genetic factors in prediction of child language development. It was established that the interplay between environmental, social, and genetic factors influence child language development; specifically, environmental exposure to toxins like lead and mercury were noted to have a complex interplay with the biological aspects of communication disorders. Our review highlighted the need for further research on the specific interplay of the prediction factors (like environmental and social class) on language development among infants and toddlers.