A Family Aggregation Study

The Influence of Family History and Other Risk Factors on Language Development

naseem{at}axon.rutgers.edu

Substantial evidence continues to accrue for familial transmission of specific language impairment (SLI). The incidence in families with a history of SLI is estimated at approximately 20%–40%, whereas in the general population the estimated incidence is about 4%. Typical aggregation studies compare data on the speech and language status of parents and siblings of individuals with SLI (the probands) to similar data from family members of control individuals with no speech or language disorder history. In the present study, family aggregation of SLI was examined for a unique sample of children who were ascertained before 6 months of age and thus did not have SLI, but were born into a family with a positive history of SLI (FH₊). No study to date has examined the pattern of affectance in families of children ascertained at such a young age. In addition, the ratio of boys to girls born into such families was investigated, as previous studies have suggested alterations in the expected gender ratios. Consistent with prior research, SLI was found to aggregate in families; the average affectance rate in FH₊ families was 32%, with significantly more boys (41%) reported as having SLI than girls (16%). A comparison of FH₊ and control families (FH–) on sociodemographic factors and medical history revealed differences in the overall rate of autoimmune diseases; FH₊ families reported a significantly higher incidence (35%) compared to FH– families (9%). Finally, the 3- year language abilities of a subset of 32 children from FH₊ families were compared with those of 60 children from FH– families. Children from FH₊ families scored significantly lower on standardized measures of language and were more likely to fall below the 16th percentile (28%) than children from FH– families (7%). These results provide converging evidence that children from FH₊ families are indeed at greater risk of developing language delay compared to children from control families.

KEY WORDS: specific language impairment, language, aggregation, learning impairments

Submitted on February 7, 2002
Accepted on August 13, 2002

CiteULike    Connotea    Delicious    Digg    Facebook    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. W. Garrett Understanding and Applying Genetics Knowledge in the Schools School-Based Issues, August 1, 2012; 13(2): 27 - 31. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. J. O. Whitehouse Is There a Sex Ratio Difference in the Familial Aggregation of Specific Language Impairment? A Meta-Analysis J Speech Lang Hear Res, August 1, 2010; 53(4): 1015 - 1025. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. J. Harrison and S. McLeod Risk and Protective Factors Associated With Speech and Language Impairment in a Nationally Representative Sample of 4- to 5-Year-Old Children J Speech Lang Hear Res, April 1, 2010; 53(2): 508 - 529. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. L. Bavin, D. B. Grayden, K. Scott, and T. Stefanakis Testing auditory processing skills and their associations with language in 4-5-year-olds. Language and Speech, January 1, 2010; 53(Pt 1): 31 - 47. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. F. Flax, T. Realpe-Bonilla, C. Roesler, N. Choudhury, and A. Benasich Using Early Standardized Language Measures to Predict Later Language and Early Reading Outcomes in Children at High Risk for Language-Learning Impairments J Learn Disabil, January 1, 2009; 42(1): 61 - 75. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T. P. Alloway and L. Archibald Working Memory and Learning in Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder and Specific Language Impairment J Learn Disabil, June 1, 2008; 41(3): 251 - 262. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. Conti-Ramsden, N. Botting, and K. Durkin Parental Perspectives During the Transition to Adulthood of Adolescents With a History of Specific Language Impairment (SLI) J Speech Lang Hear Res, February 1, 2008; 51(1): 84 - 96. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				X. Zhou and M. M. Merzenich Intensive training in adults refines A1 representations degraded in an early postnatal critical period PNAS, October 2, 2007; 104(40): 15935 - 15940. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. Prathanee, B. Thinkhamrop, and S. Dechongkit Factors Associated With Specific Language Impairment and Later Language Development During Early Life: A Literature Review Clinical Pediatrics, January 1, 2007; 46(1): 22 - 29. [Abstract] [PDF]

				L. S. DeThorne, S. A. Hart, S. A. Petrill, K. Deater-Deckard, L. A. Thompson, C. Schatschneider, and M. D. Davison Children's History of Speech-Language Difficulties: Genetic Influences and Associations With Reading-Related Measures J Speech Lang Hear Res, December 1, 2006; 49(6): 1280 - 1293. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. A. Hadley and J. K. Holt Individual Differences in the Onset of Tense Marking: A Growth-Curve Analysis J Speech Lang Hear Res, October 1, 2006; 49(5): 984 - 1000. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Conti-Ramsden, Z. Simkin, and A. Pickles Estimating Familial Loading in SLI: A Comparison of Direct Assessment Versus Parental Interview. J Speech Lang Hear Res, February 1, 2006; 49(1): 88 - 101. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. D. Nelson, P. Nygren, M. Walker, and R. Panoscha Screening for Speech and Language Delay in Preschool Children: Systematic Evidence Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force Pediatrics, February 1, 2006; 117(2): e298 - e319. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]