Developmental profiles and auditory perception in 25 children attending special preschools for language-impaired...

To study different developmental profiles and auditory perception in a representative group of children with language impairment (LI).

A multidisciplinary investigation was carried out in a group of 25 children attending units specifically for language-impaired children. An assessment of the cognitive level, motor performance, behaviour and auditory perception was performed and the results were compared with those for age-matched groups of children.

Among those with moderate or severe language impairment (LI), around 90% had additional developmental disorders. In three tests of auditory perception, children with LI had problems with working memory and speech discrimination. No problems were found with the children's temporal resolution in auditory perception. Another conclusion from the auditory perceptual tests was that the children's cognitive abilities were important for their success in these tests.

Neurodevelopmental deviations are very common in LI children. The optimal route for the assessment and treatment of these children would be a multidisciplinary approach.