Conditions in which prosodic impairments occur

Abstract

We welcome the lead article (Peppé, 2009) which raises important issues with regard to the definition of the term prosody, the characterization of prosodic impairments and issues of prosody intervention. We take this opportunity to focus on the issue of prosodic impairment in two developmental conditions: a population with speech and language impairment including those with SLI, and individuals with Williams syndrome. We review the literature on prosody in these two populations and we discuss the issue of what may be considered a prosodic impairment as opposed to a delay in the acquisition of prosodic abilities in these two conditions.