Prevalence and predictors of persistent speech sound disorder at eight-years-old: Findings from a population cohort study Yvonne Wren PhD, Bristol Speech and Language Therapy Research Unit, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, BS16 1LE, UK Tel: +44 117 3406529 Fax: +44 117 9701119 Email:
[email protected] Laura L. Miller MSc, School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, BS8 2BN (
[email protected]) Tim J Peters PhD, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Bristol, 69 St Michael’s Hill, Bristol BS2 8DZ (
[email protected]) Alan Emond MD, Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2BN (
[email protected]) Sue Roulstone PhD, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences University of the West of England, Bristol. (
[email protected]) 1 Abstract Purpose: To determine prevalence and predictors of persistent speech sound disorder (SSD) in children aged 8. Method: Data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) were used. Children were classified as having persistent SSD based on Percentage of Consonants Correct measures from connected speech samples. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors. Results: The estimated prevalence of persistent SSD was 3.6%. Children with persistent SSD were more likely to be male and from families who were not home-owners. Early childhood predictors identified as important were: weak sucking at 4 weeks; not often combining words at 24 months; limited use of word morphology at 38 months; and being unintelligible to strangers at age 38 months.