%0 Journal Article
%T Early Predictors and Correlates of Communication Function in Children With Cerebral Palsy
%A Edward A. Hurvitz
%A Jaime Slaughter
%A Madeleine Lenski
%A Marilyn Seif Workinger
%A Mary Jo Cooley Hidecker
%A Nancy Dodge
%A Nhan T. Ho
%A Nigel Paneth
%A Peter Rosenbaum
%A Purni Abeysekara
%A Ray D. Kent
%A Steven DeRoos
%A Suzette B¨˘ez Vanderbeek
%J Journal of Child Neurology
%@ 1708-8283
%D 2018
%R 10.1177/0883073817754006
%X Birth characteristics and developmental milestones were evaluated as early predictors/correlates of communication in children with cerebral palsy. The hypothesis was that maternal report of childĄŻs age for vocal play and first words would predict current functional communication. A case series of 215 children, 2 to 17 years (mean age = 8.2 years, SD = 3.9) with cerebral palsy was recruited from medical practices in 3 Michigan cities. Early developmental data were collected by maternal interview. The childĄŻs Communication Function Classification System (CFCS) level was obtained from parent. Predictors of less functional communication included gestational age >32 weeks, number of comorbidities, age of first words after age 24 months, and use of communication methods other than speech. Several birth characteristics and developmental language milestones were predictive of later communication performance for children with cerebral palsy. These characteristics and milestones should trigger referrals for communication evaluations, including speech, language, hearing, and/or augmentative and alternative communication
%K cerebral palsy
%K Communication Function Classification System (CFCS)
%K Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS)
%K Manual Ability Classification System (MAC)
%K communication milestone
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0883073817754006