Exam 3 - SHS465

What is Bilingualism?

It is the availability to use or understand two languages with varying levels of fluency. Some individuals are also multilingual, using more than two languages

What is the difference between simultaneous and sequential bilingualism?

Simultaneous bilingualism: learning two languages before age 3 (both from birth or early infancy)

Sequential bilingualism: learning a second language (L2) after age 3, once the first language (L1) is already established

What factors influence proficiency in each language?

Age of acquisition of each language

Amount and quality of input in each language

Dominance (which language is used more often)

Environment (home, school, peers)

Family attitudes toward each language

What is the critical period for language learning?

• For L1, birth to about 5 years old - the brain is most plastic for language development

• For L2, the critical period extends to puberty (~12-13 years) for grammar learning

• Accent/pronunciation mastery is best achieved before age 10

• Research shows grammar can still be learned relatively easily until age 17-18

What is the theoretical framework for acquiring more than one language?

• BICS (basic interpersonal communication skills): everyday conversational language, takes 1-3 years to develop

• CALP (cognitive academic language proficiency): academic and classroom language, takes 5-7 years to develop

• Additive bilingualism: L1 continues to grow while L2 is learned

• Subtractive bilingualism: L1 weakens while L2 becomes dominant

What is developmental language disorder (DLD)?

DLD is a neurodevelopment disorder affecting language comprehension and/or production without intellectual disability, hearing loss, or other medical conditions. It was formerly called Specific Language Impairment (SLI)

What areas of language are typically affected in DLD?

Semantics: limited vocabulary and word-finding problems

Morphology: difficultly with verb tense, plurals, and other grammatical morphemes

Syntax: simplified or disorganized sentence structure

Pragmatics: problems maintaining topics or interpreting social cues

Phonology: mild articulation or sound-pattern errors may co-occur

What are intervention goals for DLD?

• stimulate overall language development

• Teach semantics, morphology, and syntax in meaningful contexts

• Strengthen narrative development and complex sentence use

• Support academic and social communication for classroom success

What is intellectual disability?

A condition characterized by significant limitations in intellectual functioning (reasoning, problem solving) and adaptive behavior (everyday skills), with onset before age 18

What domains of language are affected in intellectual disability (ID)?

Phonology: delayed babbling and articulation difficulties

Semantics: limited vocabulary and abstract thinking

Morphology/syntax: simplified sentence forms

Pragmatics: immature social communication (limited turn-taking, initiating)

How does verbal learning and memory affect children with ID?

Deficits in verbal memory make it difficult to learn new words, remember sentence structures, and understand stories. Children may rely more on repetition and concrete language

What are examples of specific conditions causing ID?

Down syndrome: delayed babbling, strong receptive language, weak expressive skills

Fragile X: late first words, comprehension problems, ASD-like social patterns

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): cognitive, memory, and articulation deficits

How are spoken and written language connected?

Spoken and written language share the same building blocks-phonology, semantics, morphology, syntax, and Pragmatics. Strong oral language supports reading and writing development

What is the alphabetic principle?

The understanding that letters and letter patterns represent sounds (phonemes) in spoken words. It’s essential for decoding during reading

How do language delays affect literacy?

• Phonological deficits: harder to decode words

• Morphological/syntactic deficits: errors in spelling and writing

• Semantic deficits: reduced reading comprehension

• Pragmatics deficits: trouble understanding figurative language or author’s intent

Why are narrative skills important?

Narratives integrate all aspects of language - form, content, and use - and are essential for academic success, social communication, and story comprehension

What are the types of discourse/narratives?

• Recounts: retelling past experiences

• Accounts: spontaneous personal stories

• Eventcasts: descriptions of ongoing activities

• Fictional stories: invented stories with characters and problems

Why do SLPs assess narrative skills?

Narrative tasks help identify language impairments, measure comprehension vs. expression, and guide intervention by showing how children organize and use language in context

What causes Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

Primarily genetic, with links to chromosome 16 abnormalities, neurological differences, and family history. There is a higher incidence in males and identical twins show >90% concordance

What are the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for ASD?

• Social/communication impairment (deficits in reciprocity, nonverbal behavior, relationships

• Restricted, repetitive behaviors or interests

• If the second feature is absent, diagnosis is Social Communication Disorder (SCD)

What areas of speech and language are most affected in ASD?

• Pragmatics: difficulty with eye contact, topic maintenance, turn-taking, and understanding others’ emotions

• Semantics: limited vocabulary for social concepts

• Phonology: may show atypical sound patterns or prosody

• Morphology/syntax: sometimes intact, though complex sentence use may lag

What are common treatments/interventions for ASD?

• Communication-focused interventions: teaching greetings, requests, turn-taking, and joint attention

• Comprehensive programs: TEACCH (structured teaching in natural environments), LEAP (peer-based preschool inclusion model), and EIBI (early intensive behavioral intervention)

• Behavioral: applied behavior analysis (ABA) For social and communication skills

What is simultaneous bilingualism?

Learning two languages before age 3

What is sequential bilingualism?

Learning a second language after age 3

What is the critical period for L1?

Birth to 5 years old

What are BICS and CALP?

BICS = everyday language; CALP = academic language

What domains are most affected in ID?

Semantics, syntax, and Pragmatics

What is the main goal of DLD intervention?

Improve language skills in meaningful, functional contexts

How do language and literacy connect?

Reading and writing depend on oral language foundations

What is the alphabetic principle?

understanding that letters represent sounds

Why are narratives assessed?

They reveal language organization, comprehension, and expression

What distinguishes ASD from SCD?

ASD includes repetitive/restricted behaviors; SCD does not

What causes ASD?

Genetic and neurological differences, often involving chromosome 16

What is a hallmark Pragmatics feature of ASD?

Difficulty with turn-taking and understanding others’ perspectives