Three profiles of language abilities in toddlers with an expressive vocabulary delay: variations on a theme.

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Desmarais, Chantal; Sylvestre, Audette; Meyer, François; Bairati, Isabelle; Nancie Rouleau

Source:

J Speech Lang Hear Res, Volume 53, Issue 3, p.699-709 (2010)

Keywords:

Analysis of Variance, Child Development, Child Language, Child, Preschool, Cluster Analysis, Cognition, Communication, Comprehension, Female, Humans, Infant, Language, Language Development Disorders, Language Tests, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Speech Perception

Abstract:

PURPOSE: The presence of an expressive vocabulary delay (EVD) in the context of otherwise harmonious development has been the main criterion used to define language delay in 2-year-olds. To better understand the communicative functioning of these children, other variables must be considered. In this study, the aim was to delineate and characterize clusters of 2-year-olds with EVD by measuring other language variables in these children.METHOD: Language and related variables were measured in 68 francophone children with EVD.RESULTS: In a cluster analysis, 2 language variables--(a) language expression and engagement in communication and (b) language comprehension--yielded 3 clusters ranging from weak language ability to high scores on both variables. Further differences were found between these clusters with regard to 2 correlates of lexical acquisition--namely, size of the expressive vocabulary and cognitive development.CONCLUSION: These results shed new light on the notion of heterogeneity in toddlers who present with an EVD by proposing subgroups among them. A follow-up investigation of these participants is ongoing.