The nature of pragmatic language impairment

Abstract

The present dissertation reports on research into the nature of Pragmatic Language Impairment (PLI) in children aged 4 to 7 in the Netherlands. First, the possibility of screening for PLI in the general population is examined. Results show that this is indeed possible as well as feasible. Second, an exploration of the relationship between pragmatic language problems and behavioural problems reveals close ties between the two, which overshadows the existing relationship between structural language problems and behavioural problems. Third, an investigation of semantic abilities of children with PLI shows lower semantic abilities as well as atypical errors. Finally, children with PLI are found to encounter deficiencies in narrative competence, which are related to executive functioning. A longitudinal study shows that these deficiencies are persistent in nature, and that they are largely consistent with a developmental delay of approximately one year, although qualitative differences ar l, results acknowledge the pervasive effects of PLI, and advocate the use of timely multidisciplinary assessment.