Semantic deficits in children with language impairments: issues for clinical assessment

Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch. 2005 Jan;36(1):5-16. doi: 10.1044/0161-1461(2005/002).

Abstract

Children with language impairments demonstrate a broad range of semantic difficulties, including problems with new word acquisition, storage and organization of known words, and lexical access/ retrieval. Unfortunately, assessments of children's semantic skills are often limited to measures of receptive and expressive vocabulary size. As a result, the semantic deficits of these children may not receive the attention they need. This article explores the word-learning, lexical storage, and lexical access skills of children with language impairments and the theories that account for their performance. Our review culminates with specific recommendations for speech-language pathologists to improve the breadth of their semantic assessments.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • Language Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Learning*
  • Memory, Short-Term
  • Mental Recall
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Phonetics
  • Semantics*
  • Speech Production Measurement
  • Vocabulary*