MTU Library Catalogue

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Children with specific language impairment / Laurence B. Leonard.

By: Leonard, Laurence B.
Material type: materialTypeLabelBookPublisher: Cambridge, MA : MIT, 1999Description: viii, 339 p. ; 26 cm. + hbk.ISBN: 0262122065.Subject(s): Language disorders in childrenDDC classification: 618.92855
Contents:
Part I -- Foundations -- Introduction -- Characterizing the language deficit: basic concepts -- Part II -- Describing the data: Linguistic and nonlinguistic findings --The language characteristics of SLI: A detailed look at English -- SLI across languages -- Evidence from nonlinguistic cognitive tasks -- Auditory processing and speech perception -- Part III -- Nature and nurture -- The genetics and neurobiology of SLI -- The linguistic and communicative environment -- Part IV -- Clinical issues -- Problems of differential diagnosis -- The nature and efficacy of treatment -- Theoretical issues -- SLI as a deficit in linguistic knowledge -- SLI as a limitation in general processing capacity -- SLI as a processing deficit in specific mechanisms -- Part V -- Conclusions -- Why study SLI revisited.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Approximately five per cent of all children are born with the syndrome known as specific language impairment (SLI). These children show a significant deficit in spoken language ability with no obvious accompanying condition such as mental retardation, neurological damage, or hearing impairment. The book covers all aspects of SLI, including its history, possible genetic and neurobiological origins, and clinical and educational practice. It highlights important research strategies in the quest to find the cause of SLI and to develop methods of prevention and treatment. It also explores how knowledge of SLI may add to our understanding of language organization and development in general.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 287-323) and indexes.

Part I -- Foundations -- Introduction -- Characterizing the language deficit: basic concepts -- Part II -- Describing the data: Linguistic and nonlinguistic findings --The language characteristics of SLI: A detailed look at English -- SLI across languages -- Evidence from nonlinguistic cognitive tasks -- Auditory processing and speech perception -- Part III -- Nature and nurture -- The genetics and neurobiology of SLI -- The linguistic and communicative environment -- Part IV -- Clinical issues -- Problems of differential diagnosis -- The nature and efficacy of treatment -- Theoretical issues -- SLI as a deficit in linguistic knowledge -- SLI as a limitation in general processing capacity -- SLI as a processing deficit in specific mechanisms -- Part V -- Conclusions -- Why study SLI revisited.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

  • Preface (p. vii)
  • Part I Foundations (p. 1)
  • Chapter 1 Introduction (p. 3)
  • Chapter 2 Characterizing the Language Deficit: Basic Concepts (p. 27)
  • Part II Describing the Data: Linguistic and Nonlinguistic Findings (p. 41)
  • Chapter 3 The Language Characteristics of SLI: A Detailed Look at English (p. 43)
  • Chapter 4 SLI Across Languages (p. 89)
  • Chapter 5 Evidence from Nonlinguistic Cognitive Tasks (p. 119)
  • Chapter 6 Auditory Processing and Speech Perception (p. 133)
  • Part III Nature and Nurture (p. 147)
  • Chapter 7 The Genetics and Neurobiology of SLI (p. 149)
  • Chapter 8 The Linguistic and Communicative Environment (p. 163)
  • Part IV Clinical Issues (p. 177)
  • Chapter 9 Problems of Differential Diagnosis (p. 179)
  • Chapter 10 The Nature and Efficacy of Treatment (p. 193)
  • Part V Theoretical Issues (p. 211)
  • Chapter 11 SLI as a Deficit in Linguistic Knowledge (p. 213)
  • Chapter 12 SLI as a Limitation in General Processing Capacity (p. 237)
  • Chapter 13 SLI as a Processing Deficit in Specific Mechanisms (p. 269)
  • Part VI Conclusions (p. 279)
  • Chapter 14 Why Study SLI Revisited (p. 281)
  • References (p. 287)
  • Name Index (p. 325)
  • Subject Index (p. 337)

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

Leonard's study will be indispensable for anyone who needs to keep current on child language development in general, and developmental language pathologies in particular. The author's lucid style and breadth of knowledge enhance this welcome addition to the literature; there are few book-length works. One of the preeminent scholars in the field, Leonard offers a fairly balanced view of specific language impairment in children, no easy task given the controversial nature of the subject. He also provides a comprehensive review of the literature, from the earliest beginnings of work in this field in the last century down to the very latest references. As a resource for students at all levels and for scholars of language development, this work is simply unparalleled. Those seeking to deconstruct entirely the notion of specific language impairment in children may be disappointed in the treatment given to their views, and there are places in which one might have wished for more overt debate and stronger rhetoric. But these are minor issues that detract little from Leonard's impressive achievement. Upper-division undergraduates and above. L. E. Hewitt; Pennsylvania State University, University Park Campus

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Laurence B. Leonard is Rachel E. Stark Distinguished Professor in the Department of Audiology and Speech Sciences at Purdue University.