Research will examine legacy of childhood language difficulties

A new study to examine the long-term effects of late language development in children is to be carried out by psychologists at The University of Manchester. One in 15 children in the UK has difficulties learning to talk but little is known about how such problems may affect these individuals later in their adult life. The research, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), will investigate the personal, social and societal functioning of adults who had difficulties learning to speak as children. Lead researcher Professor Gina Conti-Ramsden, in Manchester's School of Psychological Sciences, said: "This will be the largest UK study of adult outcomes in individuals with a history of childhood language difficulties ever undertaken. "It is a unique project that will enable us to identify processes of positive adaptation versus maladjustment in childhood, adolescence and emerging adulthood. "We will be finding out the answers to such questions as whether these individuals were able to participate in higher education, if they develop stable personal relationships and whether they have been disadvantaged for employment. "The study will also examine if there has been any effect on their health and wellbeing and whether they are more vulnerable to negative outcomes and, if so, why.