Oral Language Development in a Child With Floating-Harbor Syndrome

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Speech-Language Pathology
• Clinical Genetics
• Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

• Floating-Harbor syndrome (FHS) is a rare genetic disorder.
• Key features include short stature, expressive language delay, and distinctive facial features.
• Early intervention is crucial for managing developmental challenges in FHS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a 3-year case study on oral language skill development in a child with FHS.
• To document the effectiveness of a naturalistic language intervention approach.
• To outline initial speech and language characteristics and long-term needs.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal case study design was employed.
• The intervention utilized a naturalistic language approach within an early childhood school-based program.
• Oral language skills were assessed over a 3-year period.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements in oral language skills were observed over the 3-year period.
• The naturalistic intervention approach proved effective in fostering language development.
• The study identified specific long-term speech and language needs.

Conclusions:

• Naturalistic language intervention is a viable approach for children with FHS.
• Early and consistent intervention can lead to positive oral language outcomes.
• Ongoing support is necessary to address the evolving needs of children with FHS.