Work

Effects of developmental language disorder and bilingualism on children’s executive functioning: A longitudinal study

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Children's executive functioning (EF) is often negatively associated with a developmental language disorder (DLD) and positively related to bilingualism. However, both regarding children with DLD and bilingual children, findings are mixed and few studies have investigated the combination of DLD and bilingualism in relation to EF. AIMS: This study investigated the effects of DLD and bilingualism on children's EF development. METHODS: = 71 months at time 1). Verbal and visuospatial working memory, selective attention, and inhibition were assessed. RESULTS: Monolinguals and bilinguals with DLD had weak working memory and inhibition skills at each time point compared to TD peers, which could partly be explained by verbal short-term memory limitations. Positive effects of bilingualism emerged when controlling for Dutch vocabulary and morphology skills, and were most pronounced at time 1. CONCLUSIONS: Monolinguals and bilinguals with DLD have similar and persistent EF deficits, which are partly secondary to verbal short-term memory weaknesses. Bilinguals performed better on EF than monolinguals when Dutch language knowledge was controlled for. This effect was found regardless of DLD and was most prominent at age 5-6 years.

Source: Research in Developmental Disabilities

DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2020.103782

Authors: Tessel Boerma, Elma Blom

Institution: Utrecht University

Language: English

Topic: Language Development and Disorders

Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,450