Percentage of Children Ages 3–17 with Any Communication or Swallowing Disorder Who Received an Intervention Service During the Past 12 months, by Race and Hispanic Origin, Sex, and Age Group: United States, 2012

Among children with any communication or swallowing disorder, the prevalence of receiving an intervention service for their disorder was highest among non-Hispanic white children (60.1%) compared with both non-Hispanic black (45.8% ¹) and Hispanic children (47.3% ¹). Boys with any communication or swallowing disorder (59.4%) were more likely than girls with any communication or swallowing disorder (47.8% ²) to have received an intervention service for their disorder. Both children ages 3–6 years (59.8% ³) and 7–10 years (61.3% ³) with any communication or swallowing disorder were more likely than those aged 11–17 years (42.6%) to have received an intervention service for their disorder.

¹Significantly different from non-Hispanic white children (p < 0.05).
²Significantly different from boys (p < 0.05).
³Significantly different from children ages 11–17 years (p < 0.05).

Note

Data are based on household interviews with parents or adult caregivers of children in a sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized U.S. population.

Data source

CDC/NCHS, National Health Interview Survey, 2012

Definitions

Speech problem: Based on a positive response to the question, "During the past 12 months, has [sample child] had a problem speaking, such as making speech sounds correctly or stuttering, that lasted for a week or longer?"

Language problem: Based on a positive response to the question, "During the past 12 months, has [sample child] had a problem learning, using, or understanding words or sentences that lasted for a week or longer?"

Voice problem: Based on a positive response to the question, “During the past 12 months, has [sample child] had any problems or difficulties with his/her voice, such as too weak, hoarse, or strained, that lasted for a week or longer?"

Swallowing problem: Based on a positive response to the question, "During the past 12 months, has [sample child] had a problem swallowing food or beverages that lasted for a week or longer?"

Communication disorder: Based on a positive response to at least one of the four problems listed above. Disorders were parent-reported and not necessarily diagnosed by a doctor or health care professional.

Receipt of intervention services: Respondents who indicated that the sample child had a speech, language, voice, or swallowing problem were then asked the following question separately for each type of communication disorder, "During the past 12 months, did [sample child] receive speech language therapy or other intervention services for his/her 1) voice problems; 2) problems swallowing, 3) speech problems; 4) using, learning, or understanding words or sentences; respectively?"