Representational gestures are hand and arm movements that are related to the semantic content of co-occurring speech. In this review, we present evidence that such movements not only provide insight into the knowledge possessed by a speaker, but also provide insight into how that knowledge is represented. Specifically, gestures often occur with the communication of information that is understood spatially or motorically but that has not yet been verbally or linguistically encoded. Using gesture to convey such information can have a number of benefits for speakers, including facilitation of speech production processes and reduction of cognitive load. We focus our review on evidence from individual differences in gesture production among both typical and clinical populations, and conclude with a few recommendations for language therapists who are interested in using gesture as a tool in their practice.
Siblings of children with disabilities have been a focus of research in recent years. Sibling relationships, family quality of life, and incorporation of siblings into intervention have all been areas of investigation. The current paper describes the participation of siblings in intervention with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Sibling-mediated intervention, modeled after peer-mediated intervention, has been shown to increase the social communication skills of children with ASD, and families have reported satisfaction and increased quality of life following such intervention. Clinical implications and ideas for supporting siblings and families of children with ASD are discussed.
In this article, the authors outline how concept of word in text is a pivotal event in early reading development and discuss research on the development of concept of word in text. Next, the authors provide a framework for the development of concept of word in text and the relation to other early literacy skills including both formal and informal assessment options. We conclude with instruction suggestions that include ways that speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can help facilitate concept of word in text development with other early literacy skills.
Although speech-language pathologists may understand the importance of vocabulary for oral language, listening, and reading comprehension and the need for vocabulary instruction, they may not have a clear rationale for selecting specific words to teach. The purpose of this article is to review different strategies for selecting vocabulary words for direct instruction and to discuss the pros and cons of each strategy.
Children with language impairment (LI) are at substantial risk for short and long term delays in reading development. This fact is neither surprising nor new information, as language and literacy skills have been shown to be highly correlated. Empirical evidence suggests that literacy interventions are effective in boosting the reading outcomes of children with LI; however, research into business-as-usual practices in the public schools suggests that children with LI receive very little time devoted to literacy-based instruction, including speech-therapy and special education classrooms. This article discusses the connection between oral language and literacy for children with LI, federal mandates that guide intervention, and current research regarding provision of literacy intervention for children with LI.
