Three profiles of language abilities in toddlers with an expressive vocabulary delay: variations on a theme
Chantal Desmarais1, Audette Sylvestre, François Meyer
1Départment de Réadaptation, Pavillon Ferdinand-Vandry, Université Laval, 1050, Avenue de la Médecine, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada.
Purpose:
The presence of an expressive vocabulary delay (EVD) in the context of otherwise harmonious development has been the main criterion used to define language delay in 2-year-olds. To better understand the communicative functioning of these children, other variables must be considered. In this study, the aim was to delineate and characterize clusters of 2-year-olds with EVD by measuring other language variables in these children.
Method:
Language and related variables were measured in 68 francophone children with EVD.
Results:
In a cluster analysis, 2 language variables--(a) language expression and engagement in communication and (b) language comprehension--yielded 3 clusters ranging from weak language ability to high scores on both variables. Further differences were found between these clusters with regard to 2 correlates of lexical acquisition--namely, size of the expressive vocabulary and cognitive development.
Conclusion:
These results shed new light on the notion of heterogeneity in toddlers who present with an EVD by proposing subgroups among them. A follow-up investigation of these participants is ongoing.
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