Thai Speech and Language Norms for Children 2½ to 4 Years of Age
Benjamas Prathanee PhD*, Preeya Lorwatanapongsa CAGS**, Kalyanee Makarabhirom PhD***, Worawan Wattanawongsawang MA****
Affiliation : * Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand ** Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand *** Department of Otolaryngology, Chiang Rai Regional Hospital, Chiang Rai, Thailand **** Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To create a Thai speech and language assessment tool and norms for children between 2½ and 4 years of age
(TSLT2½-4).
Material and Method: The Thai speech and language assessment tool was created for children between 2½ and 4 years of
age using existing Thai and English speech and language development theory, research results and tests. In order to validate
the norms, the speech and language skills were prospectively assessed in 4,169 normal children representing the five regions
of Thailand. Language quotients, percentiles and Conbrach’s Alpha coefficients were calculated for use as a reference for
Thai language development norms.
Results : Speech and language norms for children age 2½-4 years were presented. Most of the Cronbach’s Alpha coefficients
were good (equal or more than 70%).
Conclusion : The Thai speech and language assessment tools and norms are useful for the assessment of speech and
language for children with risk for delayed speech and language development (e.g., individuals with cleft lip and palate, global
development delay, autism) in Thailand. The norms can also provide the guideline for “intervention planning”.
Keywords : Thai, Speech, Language, Norms
