The Ability of Saudi Parents’ To Detect Early Language Delay in Their Children: A Study in Primary Health Care Centers, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Purpose Our study aims to assess parents’ ability to detect early language delay in their children in association with related demographic and environmental factors to help in predicting its risk. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at three main primary health care centers at National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Participating parents were asked if they think their children have language delay and if they were able to detect it early. Then, validated age-appropriate screening tools were administered to assess the child’s language development. The parents' answers regarding their child’s language development were then compared to the screening tool assessment results. Participants A total of 250 parents attending a well-baby clinic for their children’s routine vaccinations participated in the study after informed consent was obtained. Results Language delay was more prominent in the one-year-old age group (26.7%). In addition, children who were not breastfed were significantly more likely to have language delays (P-value 0.014). The parents’ ability to detect language delay varied among the different age groups. Fifty-seven point one percent (57.1%) of children aged two years old and 61.5% of children aged five years old who were found to have language delay were not noticed by their parents (P-value 0.03, 0.02). Conclusion Parents showed a lack of ability to detect language delay early. Increasing their awareness of the typical language development milestones and the importance of early intervention is very important to minimize the consequences of late intervention.