A Sentence Repetition Task in Spanish language: a valid tool for early language assessment

ABSTRACT Purpose Sentence Repetition Tasks (SRT) have been widely used to assess early language abilities in different languages and populations. In addition, it has been proved that performance in SRTs serve as a clinical marker to detect language difficulties. However, most of the research has been conducted in English language and with children older than 4 years of age. Despite this scarcity, [1] developed a SRT for monolingual Spanish-speaking children between 2 and 4 years of age. Initial findings showed that it is a useful tool for discriminating children with different linguistic levels. In addition, the task showed concurrent validity with a nonword repetition task. In the current study we want to explore the predictive validity of this task. Methods We conducted a longitudinal study including 20 monolingual Spanish-Speaking children who were tested twice, at 33 months of age and six months later. In addition to the SRT, participants completed a nonword repetition task [2] and the Spanish version of the Merrill-Palmer-R Developmental Scales [3]. Results showed strong and positive relationships between the different tests when first assessed. We also found strong and predictive relationships between the SRT at time 1 and SRT and the Merrill-Palmer-R at time 2. Conclusion We conclude that the SRT developed [1] is a valid tool for examining early language abilities and its changes over time.

Receptive and Expressive Language in Hindi Speaking Children with Postcochlear Implantation at 6-Month Intervals

Abstract Introduction Individual variability in the language outcomes of children with cochlear implantation (CI) is a major concern. In CI rehabilitation, there is lack of a protocol regarding uniform post-CI language assessment interval duration, which can ensure better understanding of the trajectory of language growth as well as optimize language outcomes by providing feedback in fine tuning the language intervention program. Objective To evaluate the receptive and expressive language in Hindi speaking children with up to 2 years of CI experience using revised receptive-expressive emergent language test-3ed. (REELT-3) at 6 months intervals and to compare it with that of children with normal hearing (NH). Methods The present study included 192 children divided in 2 groups, 96 children with CI (15.8 ± 6.7 months), and 96 age-matched children with NH (22.3 ± 7.9 months). A cross-sectional, prospective study design was used to measure the language ability score (LAS) at an interval of 6 months from the time of implantation (TIA), which is 0 to 6 months, 7 to 12 months, 13 to 18 months, and 19 to 24 months of CI usage. Results The two-way analysis of variance revealed that the LAS after 18 months of CI usage was similar to (F (3, 92) = 8.63, p= 0.19, ηp2 = 0.028) that of the children with NH. However, other demographic factors, for instance, gender (F (3, 92) = 1.73, p= 0.505, ηp2 = 0.002), parent's education, (F (3, 92) = 2.05, p= 0.937, ηp2 = 0.031), and financial background (F (3, 92) = 2.49, p= 0.351, ηp2 = 0.076) had no major impact on language. Conclusion Eighteen months of CI usage duration can potentially stimulate receptive and expressive language up to age-matched children with NH. A protocol of periodic assessment of language, at least of 6 months, may be developed to optimize language outcomes.

The Validation Of The Malay Preschool Language Assessment Tool (Mplat): The Screening And Diagnostic Versions

@#The paper describes the validation of the Malay Preschool Language Assessment Tool (MPLAT), a standardized normed referenced language assessment tool for Malay preschoolers within the ages of 4;0-6;11 and whose native language is Malay. The MPLAT (A Razak et al. 2010) is an assessment tool which is designed to assess the areas of receptive language, expressive language and early literacy skills. The MPLAT contains six subtests i.e. picture vocabulary, grammatical understanding, sentence repetition, referential meaning, relational meaning and early literacy skills. This paper is divided into 2 studies. Study 1 tested the psychometric properties and normative data of the diagnostic version of MPLAT on 300 participants recruited from preschools in the rural area of Gua Musang and the urban area of Kota Bahru located in the East Coast state of Kelantan. The construct validity is high with a strong correlation (r = 0.942) between test scores and age, validating the developmental nature of the test. There was also moderate to strong positive correlation between each subtest and the test total, as well as between subtests. It also has high test-retest reliability (r = 0.998 (p < 0.01) and inter-rater reliability (rho = 1.000). The second study looked at the psychometrics properties of the MPLAT short version (screening) compared to the full version diagnostic. The short version of MPLAT is about a quarter of the full (diagnostic) version. About 108 subjects in the urban area of the the Klang Valley, consisting of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, were administered both versions of the MPLAT. The Pearson correlation revealed a strong positive correlation between the total scores and age (r = 0.718, p<.01), and strong positive correlation for the test-retest reliability (r = 0.881, n=12) for the short MPLAT version. For the full version, the Spearman correlation revealed a strong positive correlation between total scores and age (r = 0.791, p<.01) and a very strong positive Pearson correlation for test-retest reliability (r = 0.943). Cronbach's Alpha values demonstrated the internal consistency of the full version (0.972) and short version (0.929). In summary, both versions of the MPLAT were found to be valid tools to screen and diagnose language problems among Malay preschool children in Malaysia. MPLAT also has the potential to be a useful research tool to delineate language development of the preschool Malay children.

Categorias enunciativas na descrição do funcionamento de linguagem de mães e bebês de um a quatro meses / Enunciative categories in the description of language functioning of mothers and infants aged 1-4 months

RESUMO Objetivo apresentar categorias que expliquem o funcionamento de linguagem de um bebê com sua mãe a partir do conceito de sistema semiótico benvenisteano e verificar se tais categorias podem ser descritas numericamente. Método Quatro díades foram acompanhadas em três etapas. O primeiro estudo consistiu na análise qualitativa das filmagens transcritas, realizadas em cada uma das etapas. Pretendeu-se identificar os princípios enunciativos atrelados à relação do sistema semiótico corporal do bebê à linguagem materna, a saber, os princípios da interpretância e homologia. Outro estudo foi realizado por meio da análise numérica descritiva das categorias enunciativas identificadas e pela escala de comportamentos mãe-bebê, a partir da aplicação do Software ELAN (EUDICO Linguistic Anotador). Resultados Percebeu-se mutualidade mãe-bebê na maior parte das cenas analisadas. Identificaram-se, na homologia e na interpretância, categorias enunciativas produtivas que demonstram a relação demanda do bebê com a interpretação materna. Também foi possível utilizá-las para descrever numericamente as interações mãe-bebê. Além disso, outras categorias emergiram havendo mais subtipos de produções maternas que não estão diretamente relacionadas à demanda do bebê, demonstrando que este está exposto à linguagem de características heterogêneas. Conclusão O conceito de sistema semiótico permitiu propor categorias de funcionamento de linguagem identificáveis na relação mãe-bebê. Tais categorias puderam ser descritas numericamente.

ABSTRACT Objective To present categories which explain the language functioning between infants and their mothers from Benveniste’s concept of semiotic system, and verify whether such categories can be described numerically. Method Four mother-infant dyads were monitored in three stages. The first study consisted of a qualitative analysis of the transcribed video recordings conducted in each stage. We intended to identify the enunciative principles associated with the relationship between the semiotic system of the infant’s body and their mother’s language, namely, the principles of interpretancy and homology. The other study was conducted by means of a descriptive numerical analysis of the enunciative categories and the infant caregiver scale of behavior, using the ELAN software (EUDICO Linguistic Anotador). Results Mutuality in mother-infant interactions was observed in most of the scenes analyzed. Productive enunciative categories demonstrated in the infant’s demand/mother’s interpretation relation was identified in homology and interpretancy. It was also possible to use these categories to describe the mother-infant interactions numerically. In addition, other categories emerged because there are other subtypes of maternal productions not directly related to infant demand. This shows that infants are exposed to language of heterogeneous characteristics. Conclusion The concept of semiotic system allowed the proposition of language functioning categories identifiable in the mother-infant relationship. Such categories were described numerically.

Analysis of prototypical narratives produced by aphasic individuals and cognitively healthy subjects / Análise de narrativas prototípicas produzidas por indivíduos afásicos e indivíduos cognitivamente sadios

Aphasia can globally or selectively affect comprehension and production of verbal and written language. Discourse analysis can aid language assessment and diagnosis.Objective:[1] To explore narratives that produce a number of valid indicators for diagnosing aphasia in speakers of Brazilian Portuguese. [2] To analyze the macrostructural aspects of the discourse of normal individuals. [3] To analyze the macrostructural aspects of the discourse of aphasic individuals.Methods:The macrostructural aspects of three narratives produced by aphasic individuals and cognitively healthy subjects were analyzed.Results:A total of 30 volunteers were examined comprising 10 aphasic individuals (AG) and 20 healthy controls (CG). The CG included 5 males. The CG had a mean age of 38.9 years (SD=15.61) and mean schooling of 13 years (SD=2.67) whereas the AG had a mean age of 51.7 years (SD=17.3) and mean schooling of 9.1 years (SD=3.69). Participants were asked to narrate three fairy tales as a basis for analyzing the macrostructure of discourse. Comparison of the three narratives revealed no statistically significant difference in number of propositions produced by the groups. A significant negative correlation was found between age and number of propositions produced. Also, statistically significant differences were observed in the number of propositions produced by the individuals in the CG and the AG for the three tales.Conclusion:It was concluded that the three tales are applicable for discourse assessment, containing a similar number of propositions and differentiating aphasic individuals and cognitively healthy subjects based on analysis of the macrostructure of discourse.

A afasia acomete de forma global ou seletiva a compreensão e a produção da linguagem oral e escrita. A análise do discurso pode auxiliar a avaliação e contribuir para o diagnóstico de linguagem.Objetivo:[1] Explorar narrativas que produzam o número de indicadores válidos para diagnóstico de afasia em sujeitos falantes do Português Brasileiro. [2] Analisar aspectos macroestruturais do discurso de indivíduos normais. [3] Analisar aspectos macroestruturais do discurso de indivíduos afásicos.Métodos:Foram analisados aspectos macroestruturais de três narrativas produzidas por indivíduos afásicos e sadios do ponto de vista cognitivo.Resultados:Foram examinados 30 voluntários, 10 afásicos (GA) e 20 indivíduos sadios (GC). O GC era composto de 5 indivíduos do gênero masculino. A média de idade desse grupo foi 38,9 (dP=15,61) e a de escolaridade 13 (dP=2,67). A média de idade do GA foi 51,7 (dP=17,3) e de escolaridade foi 9,1 anos (dP=3,69). Os sujeitos foram solicitados a narrar três histórias que serviram de base para análise da macroestrutura do discurso. Não houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas no número de proposições produzidas quando as três histórias foram comparadas. Houve correlação significativa, negativa, entre idade e número de proposições emitidas. Houve diferenças significativas no número de proposições emitidas pelos indivíduos do GC e do GA nas três histórias.Conclusão:Foi possível concluir que as três histórias são aplicáveis para avaliação de discurso, pois apresentam número similar de proposições e diferenciam afásicos e sujeitos sadios do ponto de vista cognitivo, a partir da análise de macroestrutura do discurso.

The Alberta score combined with Infant Language Assessment Scale used in rehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To observe the Alberta combined with Infant Language Assessment Scale used in rehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy.Methods From Jun.2012 to Jun.2013,64 cases of cerebral palsy in Children's Hospital Affiliated to Suzhou University were selected according to the different interventions and were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group,32 patients in each group.The control group underwent conventional rehabilitation training included exercise therapy (mainly Bobath therapy,Ueda therapy) and application Infants Language Assessment Scale for treatment,and the observation group on the basis of the method above,set the action in accordance with Alberta infant motor scale(AIMS) assessment to develop rehabilitation programs.Adhere to 3 hours a day of repeated intensive training.Efficacy in children after treatment was compared,and forceful move and fine motor movements and the changes in development quotient(DQ) before and after treatment were compared between 2 groups.Results The total efficiency of the observation group and the control group was 90.6％ and 71.9％,respectively,and there was statistically significant differences between 2 groups (x2 =6.317,P ＜ 0.05).After treatment,the DQ of big movement and fine motor in observation group (47.92 ± 7.15,42.55 ± 8.1 3) were significantly higher than before treatment (36.18 ± 8.23,33.71 ± 10.16) and the control group (38.13 ± 8.21,36.58 ± 8.06),the differences were statistically significant(t =6.235,5.452,6.137,5.243,all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The combination of the rehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy in infants language Alberta combined score rating scale,help to improve rehabilitation results and motor function in children,which is of recommendation and application.

Las destrezas narrativas en niños de 5 años: propuesta de un instrumento de evaluación clínica del lenguaje / Narrative skills in five-year-old children: design of an instrument for clinical assessment of language

Las habilidades implicadas en la competencia narrativa permiten predecir el futuro desempeño lingüístico-cognitivo del niño, por lo cual resulta fundamental contar con recursos evaluativos específicos en la clínica fonoaudiológica. Proponemos un instrumento de evaluación de tales destrezas infantiles que abarca tanto las habilidades correspondientes al desarrollo de la estructutura narrativa canónica como las que corresponden a la expresión del contenido, cuyas características se analizan mediante la actividad de narración de un cuento con imágenes, creado ad hoc. Los datos se registran en un formulario diseñado para el análisis sitemático cuanti-cualitativo. Se presentan los materiales empleados y el análisis psicométrico preliminar, realizado en un estudio piloto con 22 niños preescolares sin problemas de lenguaje, de clase media, de la ciudad de Buenos Aires. Los resultados reflejan la fortaleza del instrumento para establecer, con precisión, cuáles son las destrezas en la edad preescolar y el modo de evaluarlas.

The skills involved in narrative competence allow as to predict the child's further cognitive-linguistic performance. Thus, from a speech and language perspective, it is extremely important to have clinical tools to evaluate such aspect. The present manuscript addresses the design of a clinical instrument to assess the abilities involved in narrative competence. Such abilities comprise those related to the development of canonical narrative structure as well as those related to the expression of content. These abilities are analysed throught an activity of re-telling a story induced from an ad-hoc oral text accompanied with pictures. A form specifically created for systematic qualitative and quantitative analysis was used to collect the data. The materials used in and a preliminary psychometric analysis of a pilot study conducted in 22 normal-language development pre-school children coming from middle-class families in the city of Buenos Aires are discussed. The results show that the instrument is capable of determining which narrative skills are involved in pre-school children and the manner they should be assessed.