Preschool language intervention: a follow-up study.

A follow-up study was undertaken of 38 children who had attended a preschool language unit with detailed assessments of 25 by speech therapists and an educational psychologist. The subjects were assessed in a number of areas (language, learning and social skills) using standardized tests and rating schedules completed by teachers and parents. The initial results are presented in terms of group characteristics. At a mean age of 8.3 years the children were still making progress in all areas of development. Although some 16% of the children were attending specialist schools or classes (language unit, physically handicapped unit, schools for children with severe speech and language problems), the majority (84%) were within the mainstream of education. A continuing language difficulty was apparent on standardized tests. Reading and spelling were slightly depressed, but not significantly so. However, parents and teachers saw the children as differing little from their peers. The conclusion is reached that preschool intervention can prevent later educational failure.