Predictors of language disorders in school-aged children from multi-cultural families: Vocabulary knowledge-based tasks and language processing tasks

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of 'vocabulary knowledge-based' measures, including a standardized vocabulary test, and 'language processing' measures administered to school-aged children from multicultural families. Methods: Three groups of school-aged children (typically developing children from non-multicultural families, typically developing children from multicultural families, and multicultural children with a language delay), aged 6-11, were recruited and have went through three knowledge-based tests (Receptive & Expressive Vocabulary Test expressive/receptive tests and culture-related vocabulary expression test), and two processing-dependent measures (nonword repetition [NRT], competing language processing task [CLPT]). All three groups were matched in terms of family income, and 1 to 1 matched by age (in months) within ±6 months. Results: Logistic regression analysis revealed that there was comparable diagnostic accuracy for both knowledge-based vocabulary measures and processing dependent measures. When all measures were put into regression analysis at once, however, processing dependent measures, in particular the CLPT recall measures, were the most predicting factors. Conclusion: It is significant that processing measures, which are less time-consuming and more independent to language experience or knowledge, have significant predictive power on identifying language impairments in school-aged multicultural children. Further study is needed regarding processing measure to assure the predictive value with populations from various socio-economic status backgrounds and other family factors in order to be put it into practice as an assistive or primary diagnostic procedure.