Assessment of Language 1

Question 1

What is the def of a language disorder? What is it characterized by? What is it also thought of?

Answer 1

Impairment in understanding and speaking language and in writing and reading as well. Can be verbal and nonverbal. Characterized by small vocab, slow language learning, and limited sentence structure. Ineffective social repertoire.

Question 2

What are deficiencies seen in a language disorder?

Answer 2

Limited language, deficient grammar, nonverbal comm, literacy skills, inappropriate social comm.

Question 3

What are associated conditions with language disorders?

Answer 3

Intellectual disabilities- lower iq= greater d/o, autism spectrum disorders, genetic syndromes- down’s, fetal alcohol, fragile x, other clinical conditions- cleft palate, TBI

Question 4

What is specific language impairment? When is it diagnosed? How many “late bloomers” catch up?

Answer 4

Language problem that is isolated and not accompanied by obvious clinical condition. Diagnosed only after 4. Of 15% late bloomers, 50% of these catch up.

Question 5

What are some features of SLI?

Answer 5

Speech production errors
Semantic problems
Naming problems
Difficulty with abstract errors
Limited syntax
Pragmatic problems

Question 6

What are factors related to language disorders?

Answer 6

genetics, clinical conditions, pre, peri, postnatal risk factors, parent-child interactions, home literacy environment, ethnocultural variables

Question 7

Which is more important for assessing language skills? Samples or standardized tests? Keep it natural or structured?

Answer 7

Samples. Keep a balance between structure and direction needed to evoke skills and being as natural as possible.

Question 8

What are some hints for language sampling?

Answer 8

Carefully select familiar stimuli
Minimally structured
Talk about things that interest the child
Really talk to the child
Narrate a short story and ask child to retell
Ask child to read story
Have siblings/parents engage child
Note context of utterances
OBTAIN ONE EXTRACLINICAL sample

Question 9

What else needs to be assessed?

Answer 9

Lang comprehension, reading comp, narration, literacy skills

Question 10

What is the prevalence of language disorders?

Answer 10

Difficult due to inclusion/exclusion criteria- may be higher is other clinical conditions included
12-13% lang disorders
7-8% SLI