Cognitive processes and perceived language performance of retarded persons

The relationship between coding processes and ratings of the language performance of institutionalized, moderately retarded adolescents and adults was studied using an information processing model developed by Das, Kirby & Jarman (1975). Simultaneous and successive coding processes were found to relate to relational thought and to contextual grammatical structure (syntax). These results were discussed in terms of the relationship between coding and auditory-visual processing and the development of suitable language training programmes for retarded residents.