Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-gtxcr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-19T06:31:18.807Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Grammatical SLI: A distinct subtype of developmental language impairment?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2000

D. V. M. BISHOP
Affiliation:
University of Oxford
P. BRIGHT
Affiliation:
MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit
C. JAMES
Affiliation:
MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit
S. J. BISHOP
Affiliation:
MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit
H. K. J. VAN DER LELY
Affiliation:
Birkbeck College

Abstract

Grammatical specific language impairment (G-SLI) has been proposed as a distinct subtype of language impairment. We assessed a large sample of twins between the ages of 7 and 13 years on language comprehension tests sensitive to G-SLI. The sample included 37 same-sex twin pairs selected for the presence of language impairment (LI) in one or both twins and 104 twin pairs from the general population. The number and patterns of errors in those with LI replicated findings from previous studies of G-SLI. Qualitative markers of G-SLI were derived from the tests. Out of 144 children for whom complete data were available, 2 scored positive on all five markers and 9 scored positive on four of the five markers. Most children who made grammatical errors characteristic of G-SLI had co-occurring deficits in other areas. These results raise questions for theories that treat this disorder as an all-or-none modular deficit.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2000 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)