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The speech and language characteristics of children with Prader-Willi syndrome
S A Kleppe1, K M Katayama, K G Shipley
1Sanger Unified School District, CA.
Insights
Children with Prader-Willi syndrome exhibit various speech and language challenges. This study highlights deficiencies in communication, voice, and fluency in affected individuals.
Area of Science:
- Speech and Language Pathology
- Genetics
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) literature predominantly focuses on medical and genetic aspects.
- Limited research exists on the speech and language development of children with PWS.
- Understanding communicative abilities is crucial for comprehensive PWS management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the speech and language abilities of children diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome.
- To identify specific areas of communicative development affected by PWS.
- To provide data that can inform targeted interventions for PWS patients.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated 18 children with PWS, aged 8 years 8 months to 17 years 1 month.
- Utilized comprehensive assessments including spontaneous speech, articulation, receptive and expressive language.
- Included evaluations of voice, fluency, oral motor mechanisms, hearing, and developmental history.
Main Results:
- Identified a range of communicative deficiencies in subjects with PWS.
- Observed impairments across speech, language, voice, and fluency domains.
- Deficiencies varied among participants, indicating a spectrum of communication challenges.
Conclusions:
- Children with Prader-Willi syndrome present with significant and varied communication deficits.
- Speech and language impairments are a key characteristic of PWS in affected children.
- Further research and targeted therapies are needed to address these communicative challenges.
Abstract:
Prader-Willi syndrome was initially identified in 1956. Since then, a majority of the literature pertaining to Prader-Willi has focused on the medical and genetic aspects of the syndrome. There has been limited information available regarding the speech and language abilities of children with Prader-Willi. This study investigated the communicative development of 18 children with the syndrome, ranging in age from 8:8 to 17:1. A number of evaluative procedures were used to evaluate the subjects' spontaneous speech, articulation, and receptive and expressive language abilities, as well as their voice, fluency, oral mechanisms, hearing, and their developmental histories. A variety of communicative deficiencies were found in the children's speech, language, voice, and fluency.