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Predictors of Language Gains Among School-Age Children With Language Impairment in the Public Schools.

Authors :
Justice, Laura M.
Hui Jiang
Logan, Jessica A.
Schmitt, Mary Beth
Source :
Journal of Speech, Language & Hearing Research; Jun2017, Vol. 60 Issue 6, p1590-1605, 16p, 6 Charts, 3 Graphs
Publication Year :
2017

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to identify child-level characteristics that predict gains in language skills for children with language impairment who were receiving therapy within the public schools. The therapy provided represented business-as-usual speech/language treatment provided by speech-language pathologists in the public schools. Method: The sample included 272 kindergartners and first-graders with language impairment who participated in a larger study titled “Speech-Therapy Experiences in the Public Schools.” Multilevel regression analyses were applied to examine the extent to which select child-level characteristics, including age, nonverbal cognition, memory, phonological awareness, vocabulary, behavior problems, and self-regulation, predicted children's language gains over an academic year. Pratt indices were computed to establish the relative importance of the predictors of interest. Results: Phonological awareness and vocabulary skill related to greater gains in language skills, and together they accounted for nearly 70% of the explained variance, or 10% of total variance at child level. Externalizing behavior, nonverbal cognition, and age were also potentially important predictors of language gains. Conclusions: This study significantly advances our understanding of the characteristics of children that may contribute to their language gains while receiving therapy in the public schools. Researchers can explore how these characteristics may serve to moderate treatment outcomes, whereas clinicians can assess how these characteristics may factor into understanding treatment responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
10924388
Volume :
60
Issue :
6
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Journal of Speech, Language & Hearing Research
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
123571019
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1044/2016_JSLHR-L-16-0026