Expressive vocabulary and verbal memory in children with specific language impairment

• Grant number: 15/19434-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2016
• End date: December 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Speech Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Débora Maria Befi-Lopes
• Grantee: Larissa de Medeiros Botecchia
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Language development of a child is subject to adequate memory development. During language acquisition, phonological short term memory supports vocabulary growth and favors syntactic understanding, while verbal working memory plays an important hole on syntactic acquisition and early educational abilities. Saying the first words is one very important milestone because it allows communication become verbal. Children with typical language development usually say their first word at 12 months and gradually learn new words. However, children with specific language impairment (SLI) tend to face a delay on first words and impairment on other language abilities. Usually vocabulary impairment is the first sign of language difficulties of children with SLI. Verbal memory is also frequently impaired and is considered as a possible clinical marker. This deficit might affect vocabulary acquisition, grammar performance and sentence comprehension in these children. Taking into account that phonological short term memory and verbal working memory might impair vocabulary growth, this study aims to analyze the performance on vocabulary and verbal memory tasks of children with SLI. (AU)