Self-Reported Parenting Behavior and Child Temperament in Families of Toddlers With and Without Speech—Language Delay

Abstract

This study examined self-reported parenting behaviors, and child temperament and behavior, based on parental perceptions of 47 toddlers ages 25 to 31 months. Data were obtained via parental reports and direct assessment. Children were identified as having a speech—language delay (SLD, n = 17) or as typically developing (n = 30) based on standardized testing. The results indicated that parents of toddlers with SLD reported themselves as being significantly less nurturing and more punitive in their discipline than parents of children who were typically developing. Parental accounts also revealed that children with SLD were more detached and underreactive than children without a delay. The implications of these findings are considered with regard to providing intervention to children with early speech—language delay.