Wray, C;
Saunders, N;
McGuire, R;
Cousins, G;
Norbury, CF;
(2016)
Gesture production in language impairment: It’s quality not quantity that matters.
Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research
, 60
pp. 969-982.
10.1044/2016_JSLHR-L-16-0141.
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Abstract
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine whether children with language impairment (LI) use gesture to compensate for their language difficulties. Method: The present study investigate d gesture accuracy and frequency i n children with LI (n = 21 ) across gesture imitation, gesture elicitation , spontaneous narrative and interactive problem solving tasks, relative to typically developing (TD) peers (n = 18 ) and peers with low language (LL) and educational concerns (n=21). RESULTS: C hildren with LI showed weaknesses in gesture accuracy (imitation and gesture elicitation ) in comparison to TD peers , but no differences in gesture rate . Children with LL only showed weaknesses in gesture imitation and used significantly more gest ures than TD peers during parent - child interaction. Across the whole sample, motor abilities were significantly related to gesture accuracy but not gesture rate. In addition, children with LI produce d proportionately more extending gestures, suggesting that they may use gesture to replace words that they are unable to articulate verbally. CONCLUSION: The results support the notion that gesture and language form a tightly linked communication system in which gestured eficits are seen alongside difficulties with spoken communication. Furthermore, it is the quality, not quantity of gestures that distinguish children with LI from typical peers.
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