Developmental Language Disorder Is Associated With Slower Processing Across Domains: A Meta-Analysis of Time-Based
Nicole M Zapparrata1, Patricia J Brooks1,2, Teresa Ober3
1Program in Educational Psychology, CUNY Graduate Center, New York, NY.
Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research : JSLHR
|January 5, 2023
Summary
Individuals with developmental language disorder (DLD) show slower processing speeds on various tasks. This suggests processing speed difficulties are not limited to language or auditory challenges in DLD.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Linguistics
Background:
- Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is associated with slower processing on time-based tasks compared to peers.
- Processing speed is a potential indicator of language abilities, but its domain specificity in DLD is unclear.
Conclusions:
- Individuals with DLD demonstrate slower processing across both verbal and nonverbal tasks.
- This generalized slower processing may underlie difficulties in language, motor, and executive functions.
- Processing speed is a useful screening tool for language delays but not for differential diagnosis in DLD.
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