The Newly Developed Screening Tool for Detection of
Delayed Language Development in Thai Children:
A Cross Sectional Study
Jariya Chuthapisith MD, MMedSci*, Pornchanok Wantanakorn MD*,**,
Rawiwan Roongpraiwan MD*, Nichara Ruangdaraganon MD*
Affiliation :
* Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Ramathibodi Hospital,
Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
** Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To examine the diagnostic accuracy and validity of the Ramathibodi Language Development (RLD) questionnaire,
a new Thai language development screening tool for young children.
Material and Method: The RLD questionnaire was completed by parents of 319 typically developing children, aged 18 to
30 months old. All children were referred to developmental and behavioral pediatricians. The Mullen Scales of Early
Learning (Mullen, 1995) was administered to confirm the diagnosis of typically developing children and children with
delayed language development.
Results : The cut-off score that best distinguished children with delayed language development and typically developing
children was 8, with a sensitivity and specificity of 72.1% and 92%, respectively. The discrimination ability was good, with
an area under the curve of 0.82 (95% CI 0.74 to 0.90).
Conclusion : The RLD questionnaire is a promising screening instrument for use to detect children with language development
delay early during well-child care visits or at primary care centers.
Keywords : Children, Language development, Questionnaire, Screening
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