Predicting language outcomes for young prelinguistic children with developmental delay
1Arizona State University, Tempe 85287-1908, USA.
Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research : JSLHR
|November 4, 2000
Summary
Children
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Linguistics
- Child Development
Background:
- Prelinguistic communication is crucial for language development.
- Understanding early nonverbal cues aids in predicting language outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between prelinguistic communication behaviors and later language skills in toddlers with developmental delays.
- To determine if intentional and non-intentional nonverbal communication predict language development.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal observation of 25 toddlers with developmental delay and their mothers over 12 months.
- Analysis of nonverbal communication acts (intentional and gestural indicating) at 6-month intervals.
- Assessment of expressive and receptive language outcomes at 12 months using standardized tests.
Main Results:
- Early intentional nonverbal communication predicted later word production.
- Both intentional communication and gestural indicating behaviors at 8 months predicted language outcomes.
- Prelinguistic behaviors, with or without coordinated attention, relate to subsequent language development.
Conclusions:
- Intentional nonverbal communication is a key predictor of early language development.
- Gestural indicating behaviors also play a role in language acquisition.
- Factors influencing the transition from prelinguistic to symbolic communication warrant further investigation.
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