Semin Speech Lang 2006; 27: 173-186 DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-948228
Copyright © 2006 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.
Assessing the Emergence of Grammar in Toddlers at Risk for Specific Language Impairment
Pamela A. Hadley1
1 Department of Communicative Disorders, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this article is to identify areas of grammatical development that can be incorporated into risk-factor assessment models for toddlers between the ages of 2 and 3. A simple framework is presented for conceptualizing three early grammatical accomplishments: the acquisition of an initial verb lexicon, production of early sentence types, and the onset of tense marking. Strategies for using parent-report instruments and structure-specific language sampling to assess these areas in a time-efficient manner are provided.

KEYWORDS

Late-talking children - specific language impairment - grammar - tense marking