Which of the following factors should result in prioritization of a child for treatment upon diagnosis of SSD?

• A. Younger age of child, that is 2 or 3 years of age
• B. Concomitant language impairment
• C. Male sex
• D. Older age of child, that is older than age 9 years

Answer: (B)

Concomitant language impairment signals a broader communication profile beyond just speech sounds. When a child has SSD along with language impairment, the risk that speech difficulties will persist into later childhood—and that language and literacy will be affected—is much higher. This combination means the child is likely to experience cascading challenges in vocabulary, grammar, and narrative skills, which can in turn impact reading and academic success. Prioritizing intervention in such cases helps address both systems simultaneously, aiming to improve overall communicative competence and reduce long-term impacts.

You might consider age-related factors, but early intervention is beneficial for many children with SSD. However, the presence of a language impairment is the strongest indicator that treatment should be prioritized because it directly relates to broader language development and literacy risk. Sex or older age alone do not carry the same predictive power for prioritization in this context.