Early social communication profile of Korean late toddlers via the CSBS DP

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the early social communication abilities of late talking toddlers compared to typically developing toddlers that were matched to both chronological age and language age. Methods: Eighteen late talking toddlers (LT) aged between 18-36 months, 18 toddlers matched to chronological age (CA group) and 18 toddlers matched to language age (LA group) participated in the study. The social communication abilities of toddlers of the three groups were assessed using the Korean edition of the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scale Developmental Profile (K-CSBS DP) and scored based on the K-CSBS DP scoring systems. A one-way ANOVA was performed for comparing the results of three toddler groups. Results: The LT group showed a significantly lower total score on the K-CSBS DP than the CA group only. In the case of cluster scores, the LT group showed significantly lower scores on the communication, sounds, and words cluster than the CA group; however, significantly higher scores on the emotion and gaze, language comprehension, and object use cluster than the LA group. Conclusion: The findings of this study show LT's social communication abilities developed slower than their age matched peers. In particular, they are vulnerable to speech and intentional communication behaviors, while language understanding and object use are intact. The results of the study have been discussed in relation to the implications for prognosis and intervention of LT.