BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and reliability of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales (PedsQL™) for use by children with severe specific language impairment (SLI) and their parent, and to explore the health-related quality of life of children with severe SLI. We hypothesized that the PedsQL™ would be a suitable measure, and identify lower health-related quality of life compared to the healthy population sample, particularly in school and social functioning.MethodsForty-three out of 61 children with severe SLI enrolled at a dedicated school from February 2010 until September 2011 agreed to participate. Children and parents completed the PedsQL™ separately with support as required.ResultsThe PedsQL™ proved to be suitable for this cohort. Children perceived themselves to be at risk of impaired social and physical functioning, rendering the total score below the population mean. Parents rated social and emotional functioning at risk of impairment, with the psychosocial and total summary score consequently below the population mean. Physical functioning had the largest child/parent difference, with children rating themselves below the cut-off score, and parents rating their children above the cut-off score.ConclusionsThis measure can be used with this group. Our group of children with severe SLI reported lower health-related quality of life than the healthy population mean as perceived by both the child and the parent. Health professionals working with children who have SLI need to consider not only a child’s impairment, but also their wellbeing and participation by incorporating self- and proxy-reports into assessment in order to promote meaningful therapeutic outcomes that impact positively on a child’s life.

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BackgroundChildren with specific language impairment often present with multiple comorbidities, which may adversely affect both participation in play and academic performance, potentially impacting a child’s health-related quality of life. This study 1) explored the suitability of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Version 4.0 Generic Core Scales (PedsQL™) for use with a typically developing Australian control group, and 2) compared the health-related quality of life between a control group and Australian children with severe specific language impairment.MethodsHealth-related quality of life data collected as part of a broader study of 43 children with severe specific language impairment (males = 35, age range 5–16, mean age = 8.79+/− 2.92) enrolled at a special school were used to explore previously unreported findings. Typically developing gender and age matched (+/− 3 months) peers were recruited from local schools. The PedsQL™ child self-report and proxy-report were individually or interviewer-administered to the control group as required, and then compared to the group with specific language impairment.ResultsThe PedsQL™ was reliable and feasible for use with the control group (N = 43, males = 35, age range = 5–16 years, mean age = 8.74+/− 2.94 years). Control group performance was as expected as per the manual. Parents of the control group scored their children significantly higher than did the children themselves on all scales except the emotional functioning scale. Both the control group children and their parents scored themselves significantly higher on all scales, compared to children with severe specific language impairment and their parents.ConclusionsThe PedsQL™ was suitable for use with the control group. Further, the recruitment of a control group provided additional clarity on the extent a severe specific language impairment impacts on an Australian child’s perceived health-related quality of life, compared to the manual cut-off scores. Severe specific language impairment significantly impacts negatively on the health-related quality of life of Australian children across all domains, particularly when compared to an age and gender-matched group of peers. These results warrant the inclusion of health-related quality of life evaluations in the assessment of these children along with a multidisciplinary approach.

A small subgroup of children with severe SLI will also have poor VMI skills. The best predictor of poor VMI is receptive language scores on the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals. Children with poor receptive language performance may benefit from VMI assessment and multidisciplinary management.

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