Impact of Working Memory and Cognitive functioning on Specific Language Impairment (SLI)

Abstract

Purpose: The main purpose of this research was to investigate the functioning of working memory of children with Speech and Language Impairment (SLI). Method: Two groups of children were selected for the purpose; Children with Speech and Language impairment (SLI) and Typically Developing (TD) children. The SLI group consisted of 15 children (10 male and 5 female) with an age range of 75-154 months. The TD children consisted of 23 children (12 male and 11 female) with an age range of 48-190. All children were assessed on the intelligence test followed by a computerized assessment of Short Term Memory (STM) and Working Memory (WM). The assumption was that children with SLI would demonstrate impairments on tasks of working memory compared to typically developing children. Data was analyzed using MANCOVA and t-test by SPSS statistical package. Results: The results indicate that the SLI group showed impairment on the verbal working memory tasks as there was no difference observed between the TD and SLI group on the visual-spatial working memory components. Conclusion: The SLI group showed their weaknesses on tasks measuring phonological short term working memory; whereas no difference was noted on tasks of visual-spatial working memory. These findings may help in the application of intervention strategies for children with SLI.