Executive control in language production by children with and without language impairment

Interactive virtual reality training to improve socio-emotional functioning in adolescents with developmental language disorders: A feasibility study

Methods to effectively improve socio-emotional functioning by adolescents with developmental language disorders (DLD) are scarce. Current methods to improve socio-emotional functioning in adolescents with other neurobiological disorders seem less suitable, as these methods are highly language based. This study therefore examined the feasibility of the virtual reality (VR) training for socio-emotional skills: 'InterAction'. The aims of the present study were to (1) examine whether interactive VR is a feasible training method for adolescents with DLD; (2) investigate adolescents' appreciation of the VR training; (3) examine whether the virtual reality training facilitates the participants' sense of presence during social practice situations in an interactive digital world; and (4) explore whether adolescents socio-emotional skills improved during the six-session training. A sample of nine adolescents (13-16 years) with DLD reported on their presence in VR contexts and their appreciation toward the VR training. They also completed weekly self-reports on their socio-emotional functioning. Results indicated that 'InterAction' was a feasible method to practice socio-emotional functioning with adolescents with DLD. Adolescents highly appreciated the VR training. In addition, adolescents rated the sense of presence as high in the VR training. The individual trajectories showed that improvements in the trained skills varied both between and within participants. The results were also not uniform between the specific skills trained. The findings suggest that interactive virtual reality training may be a promising tool for improving socio-emotional functioning in adolescents with DLD. Future studies should examine the positive indications of this study in a larger sample.

Improving social emotional functioning in adolescents with Developmental Language Disorders: A mini review and recommendations

Adolescents with Developmental Language Disorders (DLD) have more difficulties in social emotional functioning than their typically developing peers (TD), such as shyness and anxiety in social situations, fewer peer relations, greater risk of victimization, social isolation and depression. In addition, they are more likely to report higher levels of hyperactivity and conduct problems. These problems derive from a complex interplay between difficulties in language, social communication, underlying cognitive deficits in Theory of Mind (ToM), Executive Functioning (EF) and self-directed speech (SDS). The aim of this mini review is to provide an overview of studies examining the effectiveness of interventions targeting the factors underlying social emotional functioning of school-aged children and adolescents with DLD. We found that studies dedicated to social emotional functioning in school-aged children and adolescents with DLD were relatively scarce. Based on this overview, we give suggestions to improve social emotional functioning in adolescents with DLD. We propose that intervention programs should target the social, linguistic and cognitive functions underlying social emotional functioning and create opportunities to practice these skills in daily, real-life situations with peers.

Beyond the Senses: How Self-Directed Speech and Word Meaning Structure Impact Executive Functioning and Theory of Mind in Individuals With Hearing and Language Problems

Many individuals with developmental language disorder (DLD) and individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) have social–emotional problems, such as social difficulties, and show signs of aggression, depression, and anxiety. These problems can be partly associated with their executive functions (EFs) and theory of mind (ToM). The difficulties of both groups in EF and ToM may in turn be related to self-directed speech (i.e., overt or covert speech that is directed at the self). Self-directed speech is thought to allow for the construction of non-sensory representations (i.e., representations that do not coincide with direct observation). Such non-sensory representations allow individuals to overcome the limits set upon them by the senses. This ability is constrained by the development of word meaning structure (i.e., the way words are understood). We argue that the greater ability to construct non-sensory representations may result in more enhanced forms of EF and ToM. We conclude that difficulties in EF, ToM, and social–emotional functioning in those with hearing and language problems may be accounted for in terms of word meaning impairments. We propose that word meaning structure and self-directed speech should be considered in assigning EF and ToM treatments to individuals with DLD and those who are D/HH.

Cognitive and Linguistic Predictors of Language Control in Bilingual Children

In order to communicate effectively with a variety of conversation partners and in a variety of settings, bilingual children must develop language control, the ability to control which language is used for production. Past work has focused on linguistic skills as the limiting factor in children's ability to control their language choice, while cognitive control has been the focus of adult models of language control. The current study examined the effects of both language ability and cognitive control on language control in 4-6 year old Spanish/English bilingual children with a broad range of language skills, including those with low skills in both languages. To measure language control, children participated in an interactive scripted confederate dialogue paradigm in which they took turns describing picture scenes with video partners who presented themselves as monolingual speakers of English or monolingual speakers of Spanish. The paradigm had two conditions: a single-language context, in which children interacted with only one partner, and a dual-language context, in which children needed to switch between languages to address different partners. The Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS) indexed cognitive control. The findings revealed an overall effect of language ability, such that children with lower language skills were more likely to produce words in the language not understood by their conversation partner. There was also an effect of cognitive control on children's ability to adjust to the dual-language context. Based on these findings, we suggest that a model of language control in children should consider both linguistic and cognitive factors. However, language ability appears to be the main limiting factor, with cognitive control playing a more restricted role in adapting to a dual-language context.