Speech and Language Therapy for Communication Delays in Children with Genetic Disorders: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Communication disorders in children with genetic abnormalities significantly affect their social interaction, language development, and academic performance. These impairments, often stemming from neurodevelopmental disruptions, necessitate targeted interventions such as Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) to support their communication skills. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of speech therapy on verbal communication abilities in children with genetic disorders. A systematic search was conducted across seven databases—PubMed, ProQuest, Garuda, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, CNKI, and Wiley—covering studies published from 2020 to 2025. Eligible studies involved children with genetic disorders receiving speech-language therapy interventions. The PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets) method was among the approaches assessed. Verbal communication outcomes were measured using tools such as the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test. Study selection followed PRISMA guidelines, and quality was appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD420250645279). Seven studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 218 participants. Most interventions reported improvements in verbal communication. The PROMPT method, delivered in 30–60-minute sessions over 10 weeks, demonstrated significant effectiveness, especially in randomized controlled trials. Speech-language therapy, particularly using the PROMPT method, is effective in enhancing verbal communication in children with genetic disorders. These findings support the integration of structured, evidence-based speech interventions into early rehabilitation programs to improve communication outcomes.