The nature of language impairments in children with cerebral palsy: A scoping review protocol

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) frequently experience language impairments which can significantly affect their communication effectiveness, academic progress and social participation. Research describing language impairments in children with CP is limited, which has direct repercussions for accurate diagnosis; and timely assessment and treatment of communication skills. OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the profile of language impairments in children with CP. This review seeks to describe language impairments in children with CP. Methods or tools that assess or measure language in children with CP will also be reported. METHODS: This scoping review will be conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) will be used to guide reporting. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability & Health- Child & Youth Version (2007) will be used as the conceptual framework to classify the nature of impairments. Studies that identify language impairments in children with CP (0-18 years) since the 1980s will be included. Seven relevant electronic databases and a targeted sample of the grey literature without any language restrictions will be searched. Two independent reviewers will assess articles for eligibility and three independent reviewers will extract relevant data. CONCLUSIONS: This scoping review will provide important evidence on, and describe the nature of language impairments in children with CP. It will identify language assessment tools used in diagnosing impairments in children with CP. The findings will help to inform current clinical practice, and guide future directions in research.