Characterization of neuropsychomotor and language development of children receiving care from groups at an extended Family Health Care Center: an interprofessional approach

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose: to characterize the language and neuropsychomotor development of children referred for speech-language-hearing and physical therapy at an Extended Family Health Care Center (NASF) in Paranaguá, Paraná, Brazil. Methods: 36 children aged 3 to 13 (7.9 ± 2.3) years were assessed through anamnesis, speech-language-hearing assessment with a flipchart, and motor development scale (MDS). The analysis was made with the two-tailed Pearson correlation test. Results: 69% had no initial clinical diagnosis; 83% were referred by their school, due to suspected language difficulties (92%), which were confirmed. Children both at risk and with psychomotor delays represented 69% of the sample; 78% of the children had learning difficulties and overall motor age 16 months below their chronological age, on average. The psychomotor areas with the worst scores for motor age and motor quotient were temporal organization, body scheme, and spatial organization. School difficulties were related to delays in motor age (p = 0.03), MDS psychomotor profile classification (p = 0.01), overall motor quotient (p = 0.04), and psychomotor diagnosis (p = 0.001). Conclusion: it is concluded that children both at risk and with psychomotor delays pose a great demand. Most of them present language delays, and have difficulties in other areas as well, confirming the need for health professionals’ multi- and interdisciplinary actions. NASF is an option for promoting follow-up and intervention.