The Link Between the Applied Visual Strategy When Copying the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure and the Language
Ivana Milanović1,2, Milena Paštar1,2, Saška Žunić1,2
1Cognitive Neuroscience Department, Research and Development Institute "Life Activities Advancement Institute", 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 12, 2025
Summary
Children with specific language impairment (SLI) using advanced visual strategies for the Rey-Osterrieth complex figure (ROCF) copying task showed better grammar and articulation skills. This highlights the link between visuospatial abilities and language development in SLI.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Linguistics
Background:
- Specific Language Impairment (SLI) is increasingly recognized to involve nonverbal and domain-general cognitive deficits.
- These deficits include impairments in nonverbal working memory, visual short-term memory, and executive functions.
- The relationship between visuospatial skills and language abilities in SLI requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between visual strategies used in copying the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) and language abilities in children with SLI.
- To explore the potential neurocognitive mechanisms linking visuospatial and grammatical deficits.
Main Methods:
- The study included 37 children diagnosed with SLI, categorized by their ROCF copying strategy.
- The ROCF assessed perceptual organization and planning.
- Standardized tests measured language abilities, including vocabulary, naming, auditory comprehension, grammar, and articulation.
Main Results:
- Children employing more mature visuospatial strategies during ROCF copying demonstrated superior performance in grammar and articulation.
- A significant correlation was found between advanced ROCF strategies and better language outcomes.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest shared neurocognitive underpinnings for grammatical and visuospatial deficits in SLI.
- Evaluating visual and visuospatial functions is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of SLI.
- These results advocate for integrated therapeutic approaches addressing both language and visuospatial skills in children with SLI.
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