Translational research on early language development: Current challenges and future directions

Abstract

There is a pressing need for the early and accurate identification of young children at risk for language and other developmental disabilities and the provision of timely, age-appropriate intervention, as mandated by Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Research has shown that early intervention is effective for many language impaired children in different etiological groups, and can reduce the functional impact of persistent disorders on children and their families. Yet, the accurate identification of infants and toddlers at risk for language impairment remains elusive, especially for late-talking children without obvious genetic or neurological conditions. In this paper, the need for translational research on basic processes in early language development in typical and atypical populations and the contextual factors that affect them are discussed, along with current challenges and future directions for its successful implementation. Implications of this research for clinical evidence-based practice are also considered.

Talking (or Not Talking) about the Past: The Influence of Parent–Child Conversation about Negative Experiences on Children's Memories

“…In a series of studies using constructed events in the laboratory or home, such as a pretend camping trip or zoo visit, researchers have isolated the precise effects that elaborative talk has on children's verbal and nonverbal memory for specific objects and features of the event. In these experimental studies, adults' elaborative talk, both about ongoing events and afterwards, strengthens preschool children's verbal and nonverbal memory for those objects and features that are elaborated upon (Boland, Haden, & Ornstein, 2003;McGuigan & Salmon, 2004;2006). Hedrick, San Souci et al (2009) clarified that these effects are not driven solely by the adult: children later remember more about a specific feature of an event if both mother and child jointly discussed that feature during the event.…”

“…They are more likely than nonmaltreated children to have delays in language development and achieve a lower level of language skill, associated with less exposure to language (Beeghly, 2006;Eigsti & Cicchetti, 2004;Trickett et al, 2011). Maltreated children also have difficulty understanding others' emotions and thoughts and regulating their own emotional and behavioural responses.…”

“…This is the phenomenon of 'retrieval-induced forgetting', which occurs when the act of retrieving some information from memory causes related, but unretrieved, information to be forgotten. Retrieval-induced forgetting is well established in adults, including in relation to autobiographical memories, and has also been demonstrated in children (Barnier, Hung, & Conway, 2004;Conroy & Salmon, 2005, 2006Murayama, Miyatsu, Buchli, & Storm, 2014). Research suggests that forgetting is more likely when the child does not have a clear understanding of the connections or linkages between aspects of the experience (Conroy & Salmon, 2005).…”

Desarrollo psicomotoriz infantil y su relación con las características sociodemográficas y de estimulación familiar en niños de la ciudad de Bariloche, Argentina

“…4 La detección de retraso en el desarrollo y la investigación de las causas de ese retraso permiten, en muchos casos, aplicar tratamientos y medidas de apoyo que favorezcan la evolución del desarrollo del niño. [10][11][12] N u m e r o s o s e s t u d i o s m u e s t r a n evidencias de los beneficios de la intervención temprana en relación con la evolución del paciente a corto y mediano plazo. [13][14][15] A medida que los niños crecen, aumenta la influencia del medio que los rodea, y las diferencias en el desarrollo psicomotor entre los niños que reciben distintos niveles de estimulación se profundizan.…”

Child psychomotor development and its relationship with socio-demographic and family stimulation factors in children from Bariloche, Argentina

“…4 I n m a n y c a s e s , d e t e c t i n g d e v e l o p m e n t a l d e l a y s a n d investigating their causes allow to implement treatments and support measures that could favor the child's development. [10][11][12] Several studies show evidence on the benefits of an early intervention in relation to the patient's progress in the short-and medium-term. [13][14][15] As children grow, the influence of their environment also increases, and the differences in psychomotor development among children with different stimulation levels become deeper.…”