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Communication development and differences in children adopted from China and Eastern Europe
Deborah A Hwa-Froelich1, Hisako Matsuo
1Saint Louis University, MO, USA. hwafroda@slu.edu
Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools
|August 26, 2009
Summary
Children adopted internationally show different English language development patterns. Early communication skills may predict later language success in adopted children from China and Eastern Europe.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Linguistics
- Adoption Studies
Background:
- International adoption presents unique challenges for child development.
- Understanding language acquisition in internationally adopted children is crucial for support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the communication development of children adopted from China and Eastern Europe.
- To examine language development at 6 and 12 months post-adoption based on region of origin.
Main Methods:
- Study included 20 internationally adopted children.
- Parent-reported vocabulary and behavioral communication assessments were used.
- Data collected at two time points: 2-6 months and 12-14 months post-adoption.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in communication were observed between groups at the initial assessment (6 months post-adoption).
- Significant differences in expressive language emerged by the second assessment (12 months post-adoption).
- Children from China and Eastern Europe exhibited distinct patterns of English language development.
Conclusions:
- Early prelinguistic communication measures may indicate future English language proficiency.
- Exposure to different birth languages influences the trajectory of English language acquisition in adopted children.
- Region of origin is a factor in the differing patterns of English language development observed.
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