Exploring the Prevalence of Speech and Language Disorders  Among Children in Romania

Viorel Agheana

doi:10.56663/rop.v13i1.70

Authors

Viorel Agheana University of Bucharest, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8348-6557

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56663/rop.v13i1.70

Keywords:

speech and language disorders, prevalence, preschoolers, school-aged children, pronunciation disorders, articulation disorders, rhythm and fluency disorders, reading and writing disorders, developmental language disorders, voice disorders, early intervention, screening

Abstract

The study investigates the prevalence of speech and language disorders among children in Romania, based on data collected from a total of 160,622 children, including both school-aged children (105,653) and preschoolers (54,969). The findings reveal that 21,531 children were identified with speech and language disorders, accounting for an overall prevalence rate of 14.46%. The prevalence is higher among preschoolers (17.83%) compared to school-aged children (11.10%). The most common types of speech and language disorders observed include pronunciation/articulation disorders (79.51%), rhythm and fluency disorders (2.11%), reading and writing language disorders (7.78%), developmental language disorders (7.10%) and voice disorders (0.34). These results underscore the need for targeted early interventions, especially among preschool populations, to address the diverse range of speech and language difficulties identified. The study provides critical insights into the distribution and characteristics of speech and language disorders in Romanian children, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive screening and specialized support services to improve developmental outcomes.

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