[Attention deficit disorders and memory capacity in children with language delay and in normal children]

In order to investigate the hypothesis that language-impaired children also show deficits in memory, 110 language-impaired and 123 children showing no such impairments (average age 10;0 yrs.) were tested for verbal memory and selecting attention through a matching familiar figures test. As an additional measure, teachers assessed the children, using DSM criteria, for both general attentivenesse and attention deficit disorder. The results revealed significant differences between both groups concerning their ability to memorise word lists and difficulties resisting distractions. They also show a significantly diminished stability regarding the retention of memories. Furthermore, the ability to memorise has proved to be greatly independent of both selective attention and the rated attentiveness in class. It is therefore concluded that language-impaired children have difficulties in acquiring information as well as a limited capacity to memorise. These differences in ability to memorise between language-impaired children and children with no impairments are most likely attributable to the meta-cognitive competence of the child.