The Impact of In-utero Opioid Exposure on Speech, Language, and Feeding in Early Childhood

Abstract

By Laura Johnston, Communication Sciences and Disorders; Samantha Wesley, Communication Sciences and Disorders

Advisor: Erin Redle Sizemore

Abstract: The incidence of children born with Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) is increasing across the country, including the Tri-State area. Although much is known about the presentation of NOWS at birth, including feeding difficulties, there is limited information available in the literature regarding the trajectory of speech, language, and feeding disorders in the first five years of life. This project focuses on reviewing the available literature both directly and indirectly related to speech, language, and feeding development. Additionally, a service-learning component was added to this project to provide further opportunities for observation of the potential impact in these children during the first year of life. At this time, there is limited empirical data to describe the trajectories of these children and this is an area that will need additional investigation to not only determine the impact but also to determine the optimal methods of intervention.