Processing Measures of LI in Linguistically Diverse Learners

描述(由申请人提供)：该探索性项目的目标是开发和改进一套新的基于处理的测量工具，可以用于有效地识别具有不同语言学习经历的儿童中的初级或“特定”语言障碍(LI)的行为表型。参赛者将只讲英语，有没有李，说西班牙语和英语的双语者，以及说苗语和英语的双语者。我们提出了两种强调语言处理或非语言信息处理的任务。这3个基于语言的处理任务是英语、西班牙语和苗语的非单词重复、计算跨度和快速命名。这3项非语言加工任务分别是选择视觉检测、听觉序列记忆和Tallal重复。小组比较和似然比将被用来计算任务的敏感性和特异性。Logistic回归和聚类分析将被用来确定识别LI和潜在LI亚组儿童的最佳任务组合。这项研究的创新有两个方面：在语言多样性的背景下采取基本步骤来解决LI表型，并开发利用信息处理系统的健壮方面的评估措施，即检查伴随LI语言表现的非语言认知特征以及在语言处理中更明显的缺陷。拟议项目的结果将直接有助于更明确地界定黎语表型，并有助于制定在日益多样化的人口中将典型语言发展与黎语区分开来所需的无偏见评估措施。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this exploratory project is to develop and refine a novel battery of processing-based measurement tools that can be used to effectively identify a behavioral phenotype for primary or "specific" language impairment (LI) across children with diverse language learning experiences. Participants will be English-only speakers with and without LI, bilingual speakers of Spanish and English, and bilingual speakers of Hmong and English. We propose 2 types of tasks that emphasize either language processing or the processing of nonlinguistic information. The 3 language-based processing tasks are non-word repetition, counting span and rapid naming, in English, Spanish and Hmong. The 3 non-linguistic processing tasks are choice visual detection, auditory serial memory, and Tallal repetition. Group comparisons followed by likelihood ratios will be used to calculate task sensitivity and specificity. Logistic regression and cluster analyses will be used to determine the best combination of tasks for identifying children with LI and potential LI subgroups. The innovation of this research application is 2-fold: to take the fundamental step of addressing the LI phenotype within the context of linguistic diversity and to develop assessment measures that tap into robust aspects of the information processing system, that is, to examine the nonlinguistic cognitive profile accompanying LI language performance as well as the more observable deficit in language processing. Results from the proposed project will directly contribute to a more clearly defined LI phenotype as well as to the development of non-biased assessment measures needed for separating typical language development from LI in an increasingly diverse population.