The Language Development Survey: A Screening Tool for Delayed Language in Toddlers
Abstract
This paper reports data from four studies using the Language Development Survey (LDS), a vocabulary checklist designed for use as a screening tool for the identification of language delay in 2-year-old children. A survey completed by the parent in about 10 min, the LDS displayed excellent reliability as assessed by Cronbach's alpha and test-retest techniques. Total vocabulary score as reported on the LDS was highly correlated with performance on Bayley, Reynell, and Preschool Language Scale expressive vocabulary items. The LDS was found to have excellent sensitivity and specificity for the identification of language delay, with a criterion of fewer than 50 words or no word combinations at 2 years yielding very low false positive and false negative rates. Data from three of these studies demonstrate the utility of the LDS as a screening tool for children attending public and private pediatric practices. Prevalence data using the LDS are reported comparing three different severity cutoffs for more than 500 children in seven survey samples.
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The Language Development Survey (LDS) administered at age 2 years had the best predictive value with regard to language development (sensitivity 67%, specificity 94%, NPV 88%, PPV 80%).
“The screening tool with the best predictive value with regard to language development was the Language Development Survey (LDS [106,107,108,109]) administered at age 2 years (sensitivity 67%, specificity 94%, Negative Predictive Value NPV 88% and PPV 80%).”
From Developmental Language Disorder: Early Predictors, Age for the Diagnosis, and Diagnostic Tools. A Scoping Review (2021) · cites this paper as [106]
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- Authors
- Rescorla, L.
- Affiliations
- Bryn Mawr College (US)
- Corresponding author
- Rescorla, Leslie
- Venue
- Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders
- Published
- 1989-11
- Volume
- 54
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 587-599
- ISSN
- 0022-4677 (ISSN-L)
- 2163-6184
- OpenAlex
- W2071218336
- Cited by
- 730
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 18 · 2025: 26 · 2024: 22 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 22 · 2017: 24 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 36 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 27 · 2012: 27
- FWCI
- 14.85
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (1r15hd022355-01)
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (1R15HD2235501)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Language Development and Disorders
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Developmental and Educational Neuropsychology
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Hearing Loss and Rehabilitation
- Keywords
- two-year-old children, expressive vocabulary, screening sensitivity and specificity, test-retest reliability
- MeSH terms
- Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Infant, Language Development Disorders, Language Tests, Male, Mass Screening, Social Class, United States, Vocabulary
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