Laura Zampini1, Paola Zanchi2, Berardo Rinaldi3, Francesca Novara3, Orsetta Zuffardi3. 1. Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milan, Italy. laura.zampini1@unimib.it. 2. Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milan, Italy. 3. Dipartimento Medicina Molecolare, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Via Forlanini 6, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
Abstract
Children with chromosome 14 aberrations usually show developmental delays, intellectual disability, neurological disorders and behaviour problems. The aim of the present study is to describe the developmental trajectories of the communicative skills of children with chromosome 14 aberrations, considering the possible relationships between the patterns of language development and the children's clinical characteristics (e.g., intellectual disability or autistic traits). Longitudinal data on five children (four with linear deletions and one with ring 14 syndrome) followed for 3 years are presented. Four out of five children showed profound intellectual disability, and three out of five showed autistic traits. A high individual variability was found in both vocal and gestural productions. However, only a modest increase in the children's communicative and symbolic skills was detected over time (e.g., in the quality of preverbal productions). CONCLUSION: The increase of communicative skills in children with chromosome 14 aberration is very slow. We need to consider the children's characteristics, in terms of type of chromosome aberration, level of intellectual disability and presence/absence of autistic traits, to predict their possible linguistic outcomes and to give a more realistic expectation to their parents. What is known: • The communicative skills of children with chromosome 14 aberrations are usually impaired. • The presence of autistic traits is frequent in these children. What is new: • The increase of communicative skills in children with chromosome 14 aberrations is very slow. • The level of intellectual disability and the presence/absence of autistic traits appeared to have a role in predicting the possible linguistic outcomes in children with chromosome 14 aberrations.
Children with chromosome 14 aberrations usually show developmental delays, intellectual disability, neurological disorders and behaviour problems. The aim of the present study is to describe the developmental trajectories of the communicative skills of children with chromosome 14 aberrations, considering the possible relationships between the patterns of language development and the children's clinical characteristics (e.g., intellectual disability or autistic traits). Longitudinal data on five children (four with linear deletions and one with ring 14 syndrome) followed for 3 years are presented. Four out of five children showed profound intellectual disability, and three out of five showed autistic traits. A high individual variability was found in both vocal and gestural productions. However, only a modest increase in the children's communicative and symbolic skills was detected over time (e.g., in the quality of preverbal productions). CONCLUSION: The increase of communicative skills in children with chromosome 14 aberration is very slow. We need to consider the children's characteristics, in terms of type of chromosome aberration, level of intellectual disability and presence/absence of autistic traits, to predict their possible linguistic outcomes and to give a more realistic expectation to their parents. What is known: • The communicative skills of children with chromosome 14 aberrations are usually impaired. • The presence of autistic traits is frequent in these children. What is new: • The increase of communicative skills in children with chromosome 14 aberrations is very slow. • The level of intellectual disability and the presence/absence of autistic traits appeared to have a role in predicting the possible linguistic outcomes in children with chromosome 14 aberrations.
Authors: Gary E Martin; Molly Losh; Bruno Estigarribia; John Sideris; Joanne Roberts Journal: Int J Lang Commun Disord Date: 2013-04-19 Impact factor: 3.020
Authors: Marcella Zollino; Laura Seminara; Daniela Orteschi; Giuseppe Gobbi; Simona Giovannini; Elvio Della Giustina; Daniele Frattini; Angela Scarano; Giovanni Neri Journal: Am J Med Genet A Date: 2009-06 Impact factor: 2.802
Authors: Clara D M van Karnebeek; Safira Quik; Sigrid Sluijter; Miriam M F Hulsbeek; Jan M N Hoovers; Raoul C M Hennekam Journal: Am J Med Genet Date: 2002-06-01