Working Memory Functioning in Children with Specific Language Impairment

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

The Departments of Phoniatrics* and Audiology**, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Abstract Background: Children with an unexplained severe delay in the development of language are described as having Specific Language Impairment (SLI). Both etiology of SLI and neurobiological contributions are not yet clearly under-stood. Researchers currently regards deficit in working memory functioning as one major characteristic for language impair-ment. Aim of Study: This study aims to assess working memory functions in children with specific language impairment to determine whether they exhibit associated working memory deficit or not. Patients and Methods: This study is conducted on 60 Arabic speaking children, their age range from 5 to 8 years and divided into 2 equal groups; cases and controls. Receptive expressive Arabic language scale (REAL scale) subtests were used to assess the working memory functions in all children. Results: Significant difference is seen between the study group and control group regarding the REAL scale subtests; understanding oral instructions and sentence repetition. Conclusion: Deficits in working memory functions coexist with language impairment in children diagnosed with SLI.

Keywords

The Medical Journal of Cairo University
Volume 88, March
March 2020
Pages 695-699

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