Self-Reported Parenting Behavior and Child Temperament in Families of Toddlers With and Without Speech—Language Delay

Abstract

This study examined self-reported parenting behaviors, and child temperament and behavior, based on parental perceptions of 47 toddlers ages 25 to 31 months. Data were obtained via parental reports and direct assessment. Children were identified as having a speech-language delay (SLD, n = 17) or as typically developing (n = 30) based on standardized testing. The results indicated that parents of toddlers with SLD reported themselves as being significantly less nurturing and more punitive in their discipline than parents of children who were typically developing. Parental accounts also revealed that children with SLD were more detached and underreactive than children without a delay. The implications of these findings are considered with regard to providing intervention to children with early speech-language delay.

The Impact of Children's Language Ability on Parent Cognitions and Harsh Discipline Practices

“…In comparison, several studies have assessed the dysfunctional parenting strategies of parents of children with diagnosed language delays. Contrary to our findings, these studies generally indicate that parents use more physical, punitive, and less nurturing strategies with language‐delayed children than do parents of typically developing children, theoretically because parents are less able to rely on language‐based interventions (Carson et al, ; Kaiser & Hester, ; Zubrick et al, ). These findings are consistent with studies indicating that children with disabilities are more likely to experience physical abuse than their typically developing peers (Brown, Cohen, Johnson, & Salzinger, ; Sullivan & Knutson, ).…”

“…Language ability is a multidimensional construct (Dockrell, 2001) consisting of receptive comprehension (a child's ability to understand spoken language) and expressive communication (a child's ability to verbally express himself or herself; Leonard, 2009). As suggested by studies with language-delayed children, parents may be less able to use language-based techniques such as reasoning or verbal reprimanding with children with language ability deficits (Carson, Carson, Klee, & Jackman-Brown, 2007;Zubrick, Taylor, Rice, & Slegers, 2007). As such, improved language ability should result in decreases in harsh responding.…”

“…Previous studies have not examined whether child language influences parent cognitions and, in turn, parent behaviours (e.g. Carson et al, 2007;Carson, Klee, Perry, Muskina, & Donaghy, 1998). Rather, studies have focused on parenting and the family context as predictors of child language (i.e.…”

Simplifying Parental Language or Increasing Verbal Responsiveness, What is the Most Efficient Way to Enhance Pre-schoolers’ Verbal Interactions?

“…Second, it is possible that there is a ceiling effect. Indeed, parents of language impaired children were generally less responsive to their children's utterances than parents of typically developing preschoolers (Carson, Carson, Klee, & Jackman-Brown, 2007). Contrary to other studies, the participants of the present research were a non-clinical sample of preschoolers.…”

Parent-Child Interactions in the Presence of Risk for ADHD with and without Language Impairment

“…Parent-child interactions of children with SLI or ADHD are characterized by presenting significantly higher levels of psychosocial stress when compared to parents of children who are typically developing (Carson, Carson, Klee & Jackman, 2007;Chaffee, Cunningham, Gilbert, Elbard &Richards, 1991); therefore, it is important to analyze parent-child interactions in the presence of both impairments.…”