Pedigree-Based Gene Mapping Supports Previous Loci and Reveals Novel Suggestive Loci in Specific Language Impairment

Purpose Specific language impairment (SLI) is characterized by a delay in language acquisition despite a lack of other developmental delays or hearing loss. Genetics of SLI is poorly understood. The purpose of this study is to identify SLI genetic loci through family-based linkage mapping. Method We performed genome-wide parametric linkage analysis in six families segregating with SLI. An age-appropriate standardized omnibus language measure was used to categorically define the SLI phenotype. Results A suggestive linkage region replicated a previous region of interest with the highest logarithm of odds (LOD) score of 2.40 at 14q11.2-q13.3 in Family 489. A paternal parent-of-origin effect associated with SLI and language phenotypes on a nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in NOP9 (14q12) was reported previously. Linkage analysis identified a new SLI locus at 15q24.3-25.3 with the highest parametric LOD score of 3.06 in Family 315 under a recessive mode of inheritance. Suggestive evidence of linkage was also revealed at 4q31.23-q35.2 in Family 300, with the highest LOD score of 2.41. Genetic linkage was not identified in the other three families included in parametric linkage analysis. Conclusions These results are the first to report genome-wide suggestive linkage with a total language standard score on an age-appropriate omnibus language measure across a wide age range. Our findings confirm previous reports of a language-associated locus on chromosome 14q, report new SLI loci, and validate the pedigree-based parametric linkage analysis approach to mapping genes for SLI. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.13203218

Discovering the Language of Meaningful Work

This study introduces a series of language signals that indicate whether a person finds their work meaningful (or meaningless). These signals are then integrated into a new, natural language measure of work meaningfulness. This algorithm can analyze a worker’s written description of their work, and using features of their writing determine whether they find their work meaningful with an average classification accuracy of 85%. Results indicate that personal pronouns and action verbs are most related to a person 'sounding like' they find their work meaningful to third party raters, but that identity statements and positive sentiment are more related to actual, self-reported meaningfulness.

Profiles of Language and Behavior in Students With Emotional Disturbance

Although global associations between language and behavioral development are well established, relations among components and subgroups within these disorders remain unclear. The primary aim of this study was to explore whether language components differed by behavioral subtypes: internalizing only, externalizing only, or both. To control for confounding factors identified in prior studies related to sampling and measurement, we conducted profile analyses of receptive, expressive, pragmatic, semantic, syntactic, or higher order language skills in 46 boys with emotional disturbance (ED) using one comprehensive language measure. On average, the internalizing-only group outperformed all other behavioral subgroups. Absence of interaction effects indicated similar patterns of performance, with all groups performing lowest in pragmatic language. We also report prevalence rates of language deficits in the sample and analyze results using two different grouping strategies. Discussion includes the importance of considering comorbidity and establishing independent behavioral subgroups in research, as well as implications for assessment and intervention in practice.

Are We Slipping Them Through the Cracks? The Insufficiency of Norm-Referenced Assessments for Identifying Language Weaknesses in Children With Hearing Loss

Children with hearing loss who use listening and spoken language increasingly reach performance within or above the average range on norm-referenced assessments of language ability prior to entering school; however, they continue to perform below expectations on language-based academic skills, such as reading. The purpose of this article was to identify limitations of making service provision decisions primarily on the basis of norm-referenced assessments for children with hearing loss. We offer evidence from a group of children with hearing loss who scored within 1.5 standard deviations of the mean on a norm-referenced omnibus language measure. These children with hearing loss performed more poorly than age-matched children with normal hearing on several measures derived from a naturalistic language sample. Based on the limitations of norm-referenced assessments and the findings of this study, we propose that language sample analysis should be used as primary evidence of language weakness for children with hearing loss.