BRYAN, Karen, GARVANI, Gillian, GREGORY, Juliette and KILNER, Karen (2015). Language difficulties and criminal justice: the need for earlier identification. International journal of language and communication disorders, 50 (6), 763-775.
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10341:36381
10341:36382
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Bryan - IJDLC__paper_amends march 15.pdf - Accepted Version
Available under License All rights reserved.
Bryan - IJDLC__paper_amends march 15.pdf - Accepted Version
Available under License All rights reserved.
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Abstract
Background: At least 60% of young people in the UK who are accessing youth justice services present with speech,
language and communication difficulties which are largely unrecognized. The contributing reasons for this are
discussed, suggesting that early language difficulty is a risk factor for other problems such as literacy difficulties and
educational failure that may increasingly put the young person at risk of offending. Opportunities for identification
and remediation of language difficulties before young people reach youth justice services are also outlined.
Aims: To examine language skills in a sample of children in a secure children’s home aged 11–17 years.
Methods & Procedures: A sample of 118 males were routinely assessed on four Comprehensive Evaluation of
Language Fundamentals (CELF) subtests and the British Picture Vocabulary Scale (BPVS).
Outcomes & Results: Around 30% of the participants presented with language difficulties scoring 1.5 SD (standard
deviation) below the mean on the assessments. Despite them entering the home because their vulnerability was
recognized, only two participants had a previous record of language difficulties. A total of 20% of the participants
had a diagnosis of mental illness, 50% had a history of drug abuse and 31% had looked-after status prior to entry
to the home.
Conclusions & implications: Children experiencing educational or emotional difficulties need to be routinely
assessed for speech, language and communication difficulties. More population-based approaches to supporting
the development of oral language skills in children and young people are also supported.
Keywords: language impairment, adolescents, speech and language therapy.
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