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Purpose: To examine (1) the association between low language (LL) and caregiver's health-related quality of life (HRQoL), (2) whether persistent LL affects caregiver's HRQoL and (3) whether child social-emotional-behavioural (SEB) difficulties attenuates the association between LL and caregiver's HRQoL. Method: Data were from the Early Language in Victoria Study (ELVS) and the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC). Caregiver's HRQoL was measured using the EuroQoL-5 dimensions and the Assessment of Quality of Life-8 dimensions. Language ability was determined using the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF)-Preschool-2nd or 4th edition (ELVS) and the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-3rd edition or CELF-4 recalling sentences subscale (LSAC). Child SEB difficulties were measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Multivariable linear regression was used for the analysis. Result: At 11–12 years, an association between LL and reduced caregiver's HRQoL was found in LSAC, but not in ELVS. Persistent LL from 4–11 years seemed to not affect caregivers' HRQoL in either cohort. Child SEB difficulties attenuated the association between caregiver's HRQoL and LL. Conclusion: Both LL and SEB difficulties contributed to reduced caregiver's HRQoL at children age 11–12 years. Interventions supporting children with LL should consider caregiver's well-being in provision of care that meets families' needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. This study aimed to quantify the non-hospital healthcare costs associated with language difficulties within two nationally representative samples of children. Method. Data were from three biennial waves (2004-2008) of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (B cohort: 0-5 years; K cohort: 4-9 years). Language difficulties were defined as scores ≤ 1.25 SD below the mean on measures of parent-reported communication (0-3 years) and directly assessed vocabulary (4-9 years). Participant data were linked to administrative data on non-hospital healthcare attendances and prescription medications from the universal Australian Medicare subsidized healthcare scheme. Result. It was found that healthcare costs over each 2-year age band were higher for children with than without language difficulties at 0-1, 2-3, and 4-5 years, notably 36% higher (mean difference = $AU206, 95% CI = $90, $321) at 4-5 years (B cohort). The slightly higher 2-year healthcare costs for children with language difficulties at 6-7 and 8-9 years were not statistically different from those without language difficulties. Modelled to the corresponding Australian child population, 2-year government costs ranged from $AU1.2-$AU12.1 million (depending on age examined). Six-year healthcare costs increased with the persistence of language difficulties in the K cohort, with total Medicare costs increasing by $192 (95% CI = $74, $311; p = .002) for each additional wave of language difficulties. Conclusion. Language difficulties (whether transient or persistent) were associated with substantial excess population healthcare costs in childhood, which are in addition to the known broader costs incurred through the education system. It is unclear whether healthcare costs were specifically due to the assessment and/or treatment of language difficulties, as opposed to conditions that may be co-morbid with or may cause language difficulties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]