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Article
Cognitive and linguistic effects of narrative-based language intervention in children with Developmental Language Disorder
Autism and Developmental Language Impairments
  • Laura J. Pauls, Western University
  • Lisa M.D. Archibald, Western University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2021
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.1177/23969415211015867
Abstract

Background and aims: Narrative-based language intervention provides a naturalistic context for targeting overall story structure and specific syntactic goals in children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). Given the cognitive demands of narratives, narrative-based language intervention also has the potential to positively impact related abilities such as working memory and academic skills. Methods: Ten children (8–11 years old) with DLD completed 15 sessions of narrative-based language intervention. Results: Results of single subject data revealed gains in language for five participants, four of whom improved on a probe tapping working memory. An additional four participants improved on a working memory probe only. On standardized measures, clinically significant gains were noted for one additional participant on a language measure and one additional participant on a visuospatial working memory. Carry over to reading was noted for three participants and to math for one participant. Across measures, gains in both verbal and visuospatial working memory were common. A responder analysis revealed that improvement in language may be associated with higher verbal short-term memory and receptive language at baseline. Those with working memory impairments were among those showing the fewest improvements across measures. Conclusions: Narrative-based language intervention impacted verbal skills in different ways across individual children with DLD. Implications: Further research is needed to gain an understanding of who benefits most from narrative-based language intervention.

Citation Information
Laura J. Pauls and Lisa M.D. Archibald. "Cognitive and linguistic effects of narrative-based language intervention in children with Developmental Language Disorder" Autism and Developmental Language Impairments Vol. 6 (2021)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/lisa_archibald/14/