Sub-Grouping Preschool Greek Children with Specific Language Impairment

Abstract

Children with specific language impairment have been found to exhibit deficits in their expressive vocabulary, grammar and phonology. The purpose of the present study was to investigate these linguistic components in Greek preschool children with specific language impairment. The profiles of a group of 22 children with specific language impairment aged 4.0-6.0 years were examined using tests standardized to the Greek population regarding expressive vocabulary, grammar and phonology. Results showed that all children performed poorly on the phonological test, lagging significantly behind their chronological age, while the majority of younger children (4.0-5; 0 years old) faced concomitant vocabulary and/or grammatical difficulties. No significant differences were found regarding gender. Phonology seems to be the most likely source of difficulties in Greek children with specific language impairment. These results are discussed with respect to their diagnostic implications and their relevance in therapeutic planning and intervention.