ERIC Number: EJ1011718
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Jan
Pages: 33
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0305-0009
EISSN: N/A
Pathways to Language: A Naturalistic Study of Children with Williams Syndrome and Children with Down Syndrome
Levy, Yonata; Eilam, Ariela
Journal of Child Language, v40 spec iss 1 p106-138 Jan 2013
This is a naturalistic study of the development of language in Hebrew-speaking children with Williams syndrome (WS) and children with Down syndrome (DS), whose MLU extended from 1[multiplied by]0 to 4[multiplied by]4. Developmental curves over the entire span of data collection revealed minor differences between children with WS, children with DS, and typically developing (TD) controls of similar MLU. Development within one calendar year showed remarkable synchrony among the variables. However, age of language onset and pace of acquisition departed significantly from normal timing. It is argued that in view of the centrality of genetic timing and the network properties of cognition, normal schedules are crucial determinants of intact development. Consequently, with respect to neurodevelopmental syndromes, the so-called "language delay" is indicative of deviance that is likely to impact development in critical ways.
Descriptors: Child Language, Language Acquisition, Down Syndrome, Genetic Disorders, Mental Retardation, Semitic Languages, Native Language, Control Groups, Age, Schemata (Cognition), Delayed Speech
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A