5531V - Mental Health Outcomes in Children With Communication Disorders

Mental health and academic outcomes are key components of student success. Current research indicates a reciprocal relationship between academic achievement and mental health. Communication is essential to academic development, and communication disorders are correlated with lower educational attainment. In addition, children with communication disorders face social factors that increase their risk for negative mental health outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of the current study is to utilize a large nationally representative dataset to determine if children with communication disorders are at-risk for depression and anxiety diagnoses. The results have important implications for stakeholders seeking to promote student success. Speech-Language Pathologists can promote resilience in these children with increased awareness, interprofessional collaborations, and proactive intervention.