Background & Aims

Poor sleep in young children imperils language learning and use. Both sleep and language problems are prevalent in early childhood. Speech-language pathologists are in a unique position to expand surveillance of sleep problems, which in turn may contribute to communication difficulties. We conducted a feasibility study of speech-language pathologist screening for behavioral sleep problems and sleep-disordered breathing symptoms at a multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment center.

Methods

Speech-language pathologists administered screeners to parents of 2–6-year-olds: the Short Form-Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (for behavioral sleep problems) which includes an item asking if the child has a sleep problem (yes/no), and the pediatric sleep questionnaire (for sleep-disordered breathing). Speech-language pathologists participated in pre- and post-screening focus groups. Pre-screening topics included professional preparation and clinical experience regarding pediatric sleep issues. Post-screening, speech-language pathologists provided feedback about the screening experience and feasibility of incorporating such screening into practice.

Results

Among 51 children, 31% (16/51) screened positive for sleep-disordered breathing, 78% for behavioral sleep problems (40/51), and 43% (12/28) per parent report. Parent-reported problems were associated with sleep-disordered breathing (p = 0.00) but not behavioral sleep problems (p = 0.24). During focus groups, speech-language pathologists reported no formal pediatric sleep training, high parent concern about sleep, and agreed that screening fit their professional mandate. Speech-language pathologists affirmed that the ≤15 min screenings integrated seamlessly into practice but that additional training, particularly for sleep-disordered breathing, was needed.

Conclusions

The prevalence of sleep problems in 2–6-year-olds presenting to speech-language pathologists was higher than in community samples, but consistent with data from young children with developmental disabilities. Speech-language pathologists endorsed the utility and feasibility of sleep problem screening and education in their clinical practice.

Implications

Integrating sleep problem screening and education into speech-language pathologist practice is feasible and could widen surveillance of both sleep problems and risk factors for developmental language disorders. Further research should include larger samples and other settings, e.g. home or school.

中文翻译：

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言语病理学家对幼儿的睡眠问题筛查：混合方法可行性研究

 背景与目标

幼儿睡眠不佳会危及语言学习和使用。睡眠和语言问题在幼儿期都很普遍。言语病理学家在扩大对睡眠问题的监测方面处于独特的地位，这反过来又可能导致沟通困难。我们在多学科评估和治疗中心进行了言语病理学家筛查行为睡眠问题和睡眠呼吸障碍症状的可行性研究。

 方法

言语病理学家对 2-6 岁儿童的父母进行了筛查：简短的儿童睡眠习惯问卷（针对行为睡眠问题），其中包括询问孩子是否有睡眠问题（是/否）的项目，以及儿科睡眠问卷（针对睡眠呼吸障碍）。言语病理学家参加了筛选前和筛选后的焦点小组。预筛选主题包括有关儿科睡眠问题的专业准备和临床经验。筛选后，言语病理学家提供了有关筛选经验以及将此类筛选纳入实践的可行性的反馈。

 结果

在 51 名儿童中，31% (16/51) 的睡眠呼吸障碍筛查结果呈阳性，78% 的儿童行为睡眠问题 (40/51) 筛查结果呈阳性，根据家长报告，这一比例为 43% (12/28)。家长报告的问题与睡眠呼吸障碍相关 ( p = 0.00)，但与行为睡眠问题无关 ( p = 0.24)。在焦点小组中，言语病理学家报告说没有正式的儿科睡眠训练，家长对睡眠高度关注，并同意筛查符合他们的专业职责。言语病理学家确认，≤15 分钟的筛查无缝地融入了实践，但需要额外的培训，特别是针对睡眠呼吸障碍的培训。

 结论

向言语病理学家报告的 2-6 岁儿童中睡眠问题的患病率高于社区样本，但与发育障碍幼儿的数据一致。言语病理学家认可睡眠问题筛查和教育在临床实践中的实用性和可行性。

 影响

将睡眠问题筛查和教育纳入言语病理学家的实践中是可行的，并且可以扩大对睡眠问题和发育性语言障碍危险因素的监测。进一步的研究应该包括更大的样本和其他环境，例如家庭或学校。