Illinois Test Of Psycholinguistic Abilities Research Articles

The long-term negative impact of childhood stroke on language.

This study aims to investigate the long-term language outcome in children with unilateral childhood stroke in comparison to those with perinatal strokes and typically developing individuals and to explore the impact of lesion-specific modifiers. We examined nine patients with childhood stroke, acquired between 0;2 and 16;1 years (CHILD; 3 female, median = 13.5 years, 6 left-sided), 23 patients with perinatal strokes (PERI; 11 female, median = 12.5 years, 16 left-sided), and 33 age-matched typically developing individuals (CONTROL; 15 female, median = 12.33 years). The language outcome was assessed using age-appropriate tasks of the Potsdam Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities (P-ITPA) or the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT). For group comparisons, study-specific language z-scores were calculated. Non-verbal intelligence was assessed using the Test of Non-verbal Intelligence (TONI-4), language lateralization with functional MRI, and lesion size with MRI-based volumetry. All four patients with childhood stroke who initially presented with aphasic symptoms recovered from aphasia. Patients with childhood stroke showed significantly lower language scores than those in the control group, but their scores were similar to those of the patients with perinatal stroke, after adjusting for general intelligence (ANCOVA, language z-score CHILD = -0.30, PERI = -0.38, CONTROL = 0.42). Among the patients with childhood stroke, none of the possible modifying factors, including lesion side, correlated significantly with the language outcome. Childhood stroke, regardless of the affected hemisphere, can lead to chronic language deficits, even though affected children show a "full recovery." The rehabilitation of children and adolescents with childhood stroke should address language abilities, even after the usually quick resolution of clear aphasic symptoms.

BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism: Suggested Genetic Involvement in Some Children with Learning Disorder

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an essential role in neuronal survival, especially in areas responsible for memory and learning. The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism has been described as a cognitive modifier in people with neuropsychiatric disorders. BDNF levels have been found to be low in children with learning disorder (LD). However, Val66Met polymorphism has not been studied before in such children. The aim was to investigate the presence of BDNF val66Met polymorphism in a group of children with specific LD and to verify its impact on their cognitive abilities. The participants in this cross-sectional study (N = 111) were divided into two groups: one for children with LD and the other for neurotypical (NT) ones. Children with LD (N = 72) were diagnosed according to the DSM-5 criteria. Their abilities were evaluated using Stanford–Binet Intelligence Scale, dyslexia assessment test, Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities, and phonological awareness test. Genotyping of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism was performed for all participants. The frequency of the Met allele was 26% among children with LD (6 children had homozygous, 26 had heterozygous genotype). The percentage of participants with deficits in reading, writing, and phonemic segmentation was higher in Met allele carriers when compared to non-Met allele carriers in LD group. The frequency of Met allele among NT children was 3.85% (0 homozygous, 3 children had heterozygous genotype) (p = 0.00001). The high frequency of Val66Met polymorphism among children with LD introduces the BDNF gene as a genetic modifier of learning performance in some children who manifest specific learning disorder (developmental dyslexia).

Dyslexia with and without Irlen syndrome: A study of influence on abilities and brain-derived neurotrophic factor level.

The presence of comorbid Irlen syndrome (IS) in children with developmental dyslexia (DD) may have an impact on their reading and cognitive abilities. Furthermore, the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was reported to be expressed in brain areas involved in cognitive and visual processing. The aim of this study was to evaluate some cognitive abilities of a group of dyslexic children with IS and to measure and compare the plasma BDNF level to dyslexic children without IS and neurotypical (NT) children. The participants were 60 children with DD (30 in the DD + IS group; 30 in the DD group) and 30 NT children. The Irlen reading perceptual scale, the Stanford Binet intelligence scale, 4th ed, the dyslexia assessment test, and the Illinois test of psycholinguistic abilities were used. The BDNF level was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. One-minutewriting and visual closure deficits were more prevalent, while phonemic segmentation deficits were less prevalent in the DD + IS group compared to the DD group. The BDNF level in the DD groups was lower than that in NT children (p < 0.001). Some reading and non-reading tasks were influenced by the presence of a coexisting IS. The reduced BDNF level could play a role in the deficits noticed in the abilities of children with DD.

Asymmetry Matters: Diffusion Tensor Tractography of the Uncinate Fasciculus in Children with Verbal Memory Deficits.

Verbal declarative memory performance relies on frontotemporal connectivity. The uncinate fasciculus is a major association tract connecting the frontal and temporal lobes. Hemispheric asymmetries contribute to various cognitive and neurobehavioral abilities. Here we investigated microstructural alterations and hemispheric asymmetry of the uncinate fasciculus and their possible correlation to memory performance of children with learning disorders attributed to verbal memory deficits. Two groups of right-handed children with learning disorders attributed to verbal memory deficits and typically developing children (n = 20 and 22, respectively) underwent DTI on a 1.5T scanner. Tractography of the uncinate fasciculus in both hemispheres was performed, and fractional anisotropy and diffusivity indices (radial diffusivity, axial diffusivity, and trace) were obtained. The asymmetry index was calculated. Verbal memory was assessed using subsets of the Stanford Binet Intelligence Scale, 4th edition, a dyslexia assessment test, and the Illinois test of Psycholinguistic Abilities. Correlation between diffusion metrics and verbal memory performance was investigated in the learning disorders group. Also, hemispheric differences in each group were tested, and between-group comparisons were performed. Children with learning disorders showed absence of the normal left-greater-than-right asymmetry of fractional anisotropy and the normal right-greater-than-left asymmetry of radial diffusivity seen in typically developing children. Correlation with verbal memory subsets revealed that the higher the fractional anisotropy and asymmetry index, the better the rapid naming performance (P <.05) was. These findings demonstrated microstructural aberrations with reduction of hemispheric asymmetry of the uncinate fasciculus, which could disrupt the normal frontotemporal connectivity in children with learning disorders attributed to verbal memory deficits. This outcome gives more understanding of pathologic mechanisms underlying this disorder.

Cognitive development after perinatal unilateral infarctions: No evidence for preferential sparing of verbal functions.

Even children with extensive perinatal left-sided lesions have been reported to show normal language functions based on right-hemispheric language reorganization. This reorganization can lead to deficits in originary right hemispheric functions ("crowding hypothesis"). In a previous study, however, we identified epilepsy (even when well-controlled), and not language reorganization, as the major risk factor for impaired nonverbal functions. Here, we asked whether verbal and nonverbal functions develop differently, and whether they share the same risk factors. We investigated 23 patients (11f, Md=12.56 years) with perinatal strokes (16 left-sided, 8 with epilepsy), and 23 healthy age-matched controls (8 f, Md=12.42years). Language functions were assessed using the Potsdam Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities, nonverbal intelligence with the Test of Nonverbal Intelligence, language lateralization with functional MRI, and lesion size with MRI-based volumetry. We found no systematic difference between verbal and nonverbal skills in our patients or controls [median difference Z(PITPA)-Z(TONI): patients=-0.03, controls=-0.06]. Accordingly, verbal and nonverbal functions were strongly correlated in patients (r=0.80) and in controls (r=0.74). Language ability correlated significantly with epilepsy. Furthermore, in patients with epilepsies, verbal skills were significantly lower than in controls. In our cohort, we found no evidence for a differential effect of perinatal strokes on the development of verbal versus nonverbal functions, and, specifically, no evidence for a preferential sparing of verbal functions. Epilepsy, even when well-controlled, was confirmed as a single key risk factor for verbal functions.

Evaluation of emotional and psycholinguistic problems in deaf and hard-of-hearing students in the Canary Islands

ObjectivesThe current study evaluated deaf and hard-of-hearing students' mental health in terms of emotional and behavioral strengths and difficulties, as measured by the SDQ in the Canary Islands. Furthermore, it evaluated the students’ psycholinguistic abilities using the Spanish version of the ITPA. MethodsThe Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to assess school children problems. The Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities measured student spoken and written linguistic abilities. ResultsStudent self-reports yielded different SDQ scores to parent and teacher reports. Student spoken and written linguistic abilities varied according to ten covariates. DiscussionPerceptions about the mental health of children differed according to the groups studied. Perceptions about student abilities in the classroom were different, particularly the ability to reproduce sequences of complex and non-significant figures by memory. ConclusionTwo outcomes emerged: a) conduct problems were the SDQ subscale that most distinguished children with cochlear implants from those with hearing aids, and b) tutor and specialist teacher experience appeared as the decisive influencing students’ psycholinguistic abilities.

Development of Auditory Processing and Perception Skills with and without APD in Primary School Age

We examined two student age groups (1st and 4th class) in a control-group comparison whether the maturation processes of the central hearing system in typically developing children are also present in children with Central Auditory Processing Disorders (CAPD) at primary-school age. The analyses included results of a behavioral test battery from 82 first graders (40 with CAPD; 42 healthy controls) and 65 fourth graders (35 with CAPD; 30 healthy controls). An ANOVA with the total value of the following 7 standardized examinations, and subsequently a MANOVA with the detailed test results were carried out: Speech (words) in Noise Recognition (Göttinger Sprachaudiometrie II); Dichotic Word Pair Understanding (Uttenweiler-Test); Heidelberger Phoneme Discrimination Subtests: Phoneme Discrimination, Phoneme Identification, Phoneme Analysis; the Subtest Auditory Sequential Memory for Digits of the Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities (German version); Mottier's Nonword Repetition Test. The ANOVA showed significant main effects of "class" (1st versus 4th; p < 0.001, η² = 0.418) and "group" (CAPD versus healthy controls; p < 0.001; η² = 0.690), but no interaction effects between both. The result of the MANOVA was similar. Main effects, but only for two tests (phoneme identification; phoneme analysis) as well as the interaction of "class" and "group" were statistically significant, with statistically small effect sizes of 3 and 6 %. Based on this cross-sectional study, the difference between the two study groups appears to be independent of the school class level. At primary-school age, there is evidence of maturation of the central hearing system for both children with CAPD and healthy children.

Is Organizing Knowledge Effective in Primary Education?

The acquisition of reading comprehension abilities and written expression is one of the key factors among learning processes in which students show many difficulties. For this reason, it is necessary to implement effective intervention strategies from early school years. The program EPI.com is aimed at improving lexical, semantic, and syntactic processes related to the reading process. This work aims to analyze the efficiency of EPI.com in years 1&amp;2 of Primary Education. Participants in the research were 62 students (ages 6–8), who were assigned to an Experimental Group (EG; 38 students receiving the EPI.com intervention) and a Control Group (CG; 24 following traditional teaching and learning methods). The Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities and the Peabody test were applied before and after the intervention was carried out. Results showed that the strategy was effective in EG in improving the psycholinguistic aspects measured by the ITPA, with better results in the variables related to syntactic and lexical processing. Taking the results into account, it was concluded that EPI.com allows students to improve the abilities relating to reading skills. Also, the results highlight the need to incorporate interventions aimed at favoring maturation in some key aspects at early ages.

Cognitive Functions in Breastfed versus Artificially Fed in Preschool Children

Background: Breastfeeding has been widely researched and reviewed in relation to cognitive performance in children, but early reviews have not provided compelling evidence linking breastfeeding to cognitive development Objective: To assess the effect of breastfeeding duration and exclusivity on the cognitive development of a group of preschool Egyptian children. Methods: The current study was a cross sectional comparative study that included 90 apparently healthy preschool Egyptian children aged 3 - <6 years who were classified into three equal groups according to their type of feeding in early infancy. Assessment of neurocognitive function and IQ was done using the following 3 tests: Stanford-Binet test 5th edition Arabic version (2003), Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (2004), Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities (ITPA) (2001). Results: There was significant increase in IQ detected by kauffaman test in breastfed group than either mixed or artificially fed, while no significant difference was found in IQ between mixed and artificial fed groups. There was significant increase in psycholinguistic age in breastfed group in comparison to artificially fed groups, while no significant difference was found between breastfed and mixed fed or mixed fed and artificially fed groups. Children who were breastfed had better scores in Total IQ than either artificially or mixed fed. Also, there was significant increase in total IQ scores in mixed than artificially fed groups. A significant positive relation was found between the total duration of breastfeeding and Binet total IQ score. Conclusion: The effect of breastfeeding is dose-dependent, the longer the duration of breastfeeding, the more is the benefit, the strongest effect for cognitive function in breastfed children was more prominent in psycholinguistic age.

Improving Cognitive Visual-Motor Abilities in Individuals with Down Syndrome.

Down syndrome causes a reduction in cognitive abilities, with visual-motor skills being particularly affected. In this work, we have focused on this skill in order to stimulate better learning. The proposal relies on stimulating the cognitive visual-motor skills of individuals with Down Syndrome (DS) using exercises with a gestural interaction platform based on the KINECT sensor named TANGO:H, the goal being to improve them. To validate the proposal, an experimental single-case study method was designed using two groups: a control group and an experimental one, with similar cognitive ages. Didactic exercises were provided to the experimental group using visual cognitive stimulation. These exercises were created on the TANGO:H Designer, a platform that was designed for gestural interaction using the KINECT sensor. As a result, TANGO:H allows for visual-motor cognitive stimulation through the movement of hands, arms, feet and head. The “Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities (ITPA)” was applied to both groups as a pre-test and post-test in its four reference sections: visual comprehension, visual-motor sequential memory, visual association, and visual integration. Two checks were made, one using the longitudinal comparison of the pre-test/post-test of the experimental group, and another that relied on comparing the difference of the means of the pre-test/post-test. We also used an observational methodology for the working sessions from the experimental group. Although the statistical results do not show significant differences between the two groups, the results of the observations exhibited an improvement in visual-motor cognitive skills.

Emotional and Behavioral Difficulties, Communication, Intelligence, and Reasoning in Children with Hearing Difficulties

This study aims to investigate whether emotional and behavioral difficulties (EBD) differ between children with cochlear implants (CIs) or hearing aids (HAs), according to multi-informant ratings. Methods: A battery of psychological measures (e.g., Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities (ITPA), Peabody Image Vocabulary Test (PPVT), and Raven Progressive Matrices Test (RPM), was administered to children with CIs or HAs. The study involved 187 children with CIs, 113 children with HAs, 176 fathers and mothers, and 300 schoolteachers. Results: Significant disagreements were found between children, parents, and schoolteachers with regard to SDQ ratings. Total SDQ difficulties score correlated poorly with other outcomes (e.g., total ITPA, final PPVT, and final RPM). Regression linear analyses showed six socio-demographic and linguistic covariates that significantly predicted children’s total SDQ difficulties score. Conclusion: Several independent variables were found to be associated with children’s total EBD scores. This article highlights the importance of providing professionals with sufficient training so that they are knowledgeable about the procedures they are to use to support children with EBD (e.g., developing and implementing instructional approaches for school students with EBD).

Investigating the influence of ubiquinone blood level on the abilities of children with specific learning disorder

BackgroundUbiquinone has antioxidant properties and has been linked to cognitive performance in some neuropsychiatric disorders. Its role in specific learning disorder manifestations has not been previously investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to measure the blood levels of ubiquinone in a group of children with specific learning disorder in comparison to typically developing children and to investigate the correlation between ubiquinone levels in children with specific learning disorder and some of their intellectual capabilities, reading, spelling and writing performance. MethodsThe study included 71 native Arabic speaking children: 31 in the specific learning disorder group and 40 in the typically developing (TD) group. The abilities of the children with specific learning disorder were evaluated by the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale-4th edition, the Dyslexia Assessment Test, and the Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities. The level of ubiquinone was measured in both groups by ELISA. Correlation between some aptitudes of children with specific learning disorder and the ubiquinone level was performed.ResultsThe blood levels of ubiquinone in the children with specific learning disorder group were less than those in the TD group. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between ubiquinone and the scores of backward digit span abilities.ConclusionsUbiquinone has a role in the auditory working memory performance of children with specific learning disorder (with impairment in reading). The decreased levels of ubiquinone in this sample of children with specific learning disorder could have participated in the pathogenesis of this disorder.

PSYCHOLINGUISTIC AGE-PROFILES OF LANGUAGE IMPAIRMENT: A COMPARISON BETWEEN CHILDREN WITH TYPICAL AND ATYPICAL LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT

Background: Assessment of language is very important to detect atypically developed children. In this sense, psycholinguistic abilities are predictors of developmental functioning. The aim of this study was to compare ages of psycholinguistic processes between atypically and typically developed children. Material/Methods: In this cross-sectional study, six-, seven- and eight-year-old children from Cordoba (Argentina) (n= 28) were evaluated with the Spanish version of Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities (S-ITPA). Statistical analysis included Student’s t-test in order to find differences between groups. Results: In the six-year-old sample, those with atypical language showed significantly lower psycholinguistic ages in: global psycholinguistic age, auditory association, and verbal expression, auditory reception, auditory sequential memory, grammatical closu re, and auditory closure, manual expression. In seven-year-old sample differences were found in grammatical closure and auditory closure. In eight-year-old group, atypical language sample showed lower psycholinguistic ages in auditory association, verbal expression and auditory sequential memory. Conclusions: This evidence establishes a limit stage corresponding to 6 years of age, which reflects the consolidation and integrity of language and the aptitudes involved. In later ages (e.g. seven and eight years), results may be biased by acquired formal learning abilities.

Perceptual Visual Skills in Delayed Language Developed Children

AimTo evaluate Perceptual visual skills in delayed language developed children. Material and methodsThe relation between visual skills and language has not been rigorously examined in previous investigations. This is a case-control study which comprised of 25 preschool children with Delayed Language Development (DLD) (cases) and 25 typically developed children (control). Exclusion criteria: any neurological or visual impaired disorder. All children had undergone Intelligent Quotient (I.Q) using Stanford Binet (IV edition), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder Test (ADHDT) and Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities (ITPA). The performance of cases was surprisingly superior to the performance of controls in all visual skills. Moreover, it was significantly different in visual closure (P value=0.027) and visual memory (P value=0.005). ConclusionReading disorders that may develop in children with DLD are more related to language than to visual skills. DLD has some strong perceptual skills such as visual closure and visual memory. This should be taken in consideration while planning a strategy for language therapy.

Eficacia del programa informatizado EPI.com para la mejora de la comprensión y la expresión de estudiantes de entre 3 y 6 años

The acquisition of comprehension and expression skills is the key in the learning process, especially given the difficulties of students. EPI.com is a computerised strategy based on the adaptation of hypertext to Early Childhood Education. It aims to improve the lexical, semantic and syntactic processes. The objective of this study was to analyse the effectiveness of EPI.com for improving overall and specific psycho-linguistic and verbal aspects (depending on the age). To this end, a total of 155 participants (3-6 years old) were classified into two groups, an experimental group (93 children who worked with EPI.com) and a control group (62 children who followed the traditional methodology). All of them completed the Illinois Test of Psycho-linguistic Abilities, and the Peabody test. The results showed the effectiveness of the strategy in the experimental group in the Psycho-linguistic Abilities. The 3 year-old children obtained the greatest benefits with the intervention. The analysis concluded that EPI.com is effective in improving psycho-linguistic abilities in this population sample.

Effectiveness of the EPI.com Computerized Tool to Enhance Comprehension and Expression in 3–6 Year-Old Schoolchildren

The acquisition of comprehension and expression skills is the key in the learning process, especially given the difficulties of students. EPI.com is a computerized strategy based on the adaptation of hypertext to Early Childhood Education. It aims to improve the lexical, semantic and syntactic processes. The objective of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of EPI.com for improving overall and specific psycho-linguistic and verbal aspects (depending on the age). To this end, a total of 155 participants (3–6 years old) were classified into two groups, an Experimental Group (93 children who worked with EPI.com) and a Control Group (62 children who followed the traditional methodology). All of them completed the Illinois Test of Psycho-linguistic Abilities, and the Peabody test. The results showed the effectiveness of the strategy in the Experimental Group in the Psycho-linguistic Abilities. The 3 year-old children obtained the greatest benefits with the intervention. The analysis concluded that EPI.com is effective in improving psycho-linguistic abilities in this population sample.

Cognitive profiles of patients with early detected and treated congenital hypothyroidism.

Children with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) detected by newborn screening and adequately treated may have mild cognitive deficits. OBJECTIVES">To assess the intelligence quotient of children with CH and identify the presence of specific cognitive deficits. A group of 60 children with CH detected by newborn screening, who were aged 9-10 years old and received adequate treatment since their first month of life was selected and compared to a control group of 60 children without CH in the same age range. Inclusion criteria: children without concurrent diseases, who were attending school in a single shift, and whose parents had at least completed secondary education. The following tests were administered during individual interviews: the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (third edition), the Rey complex figure test, the Woodcock-Muñoz revised test, the Conners Continuous Performance Test II, the Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities, the verbal fluency test, the Knox Cube Test, the Trail Making Test, the faces test, and the 5 digit test. The statistical analysis was done using Student's t tests (for independent samples) with Bonferroni's correction (p < 0.002). Even within the normal average range, significant differences were observed between both groups in terms of total intelligence quotient and performance intelligence quotient (small and moderate effect sizes, respectively). In terms of performance, children with hypothyroidism had a significantly poorer performance in processing speed, reaction times, attention, cognitive flexibility, visuoconstruction, and long-term memory. No significant differences were found between both groups in the verbal area. Children with congenital hypothyroidism and without mental disability had mild cognitive deficits, which should be taken into account for a comprehensive patient care.

Reading difficulty in children: auditory and visual modalities\u2019 affection

BackgroundMany research studies have explained that an auditory processing deficit might be the underlying cause for some forms of reading difficulties. However, deficits affecting other modalities, such as vision might be the other potential contributing factor.ObjectivesThis research investigated both central auditory processing abilities and the visual pathway in children having scholastic underachievement due to reading difficulties.Patients and methodThe study group consisted of 15 children (eight male and seven female) between the age of 5 and 15 years. They had scholastic underachievement due reading difficulties. All children were subjected to a standardized Arabic central auditory test battery for children. It included tests for selective auditory attention, dichotic listening, memory, and temporal processing abilities. Other tests that were administered included electrophysiologic measures, auditory event-related potentials (P300), and visual-evoked potential (P100), as well as the Illinois test of psycholinguistic abilities and screening test for risk for dyslexia to verify reading complains and to assess psycholinguistic abilities.ResultsCentral auditory test battery that was accompanied by abnormal auditory event-related potentials (P300) revealed abnormal pattern mainly affecting temporal processing and memory abilities. However, some children had additional dichotic listening or selective auditory attention deficit. Abnormal visual-evoked potential (P100) was detected in the majority of children. The Illinois test revealed visual pattern affection in those children.ConclusionChildren with reading difficulties had temporal processing disorder and memory deficit pattern. Furthermore, there was an association between visual affection and reading difficulty that supports multimodality affection in those children. Hence, the remediation program for these children should include both auditory and visual modalities.

Evaluación De La Eficacia Del Implante Coclear En Función De La Edad De Implantación

Introduction and objective: Childhood hearing loss affects cognitive, emotional and language development of children causing difficulties in communication. Therefore, many organizations stress the importance of early detection of hearing loss and early cochlear implantation. The purpose was to verify the effect of cochlear implants performed in children from Tenerife (sorted by chronological age, age at cochlear implantation and time of use of cochlear implant) in lexical comprehension and communication skills. Method: A psycholinguistic profile of all children implanted in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife during the years 2007-2012 using two standardized tests were developed: The Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities (ITPA) and the Picture Vocabulary Test (Peabody). Results: Most of the children studied were implanted at a late age (over 3-yearolds). This situation carries some functional use of the implant but causes an indiscernible development of oral communicative functions of children. Specifically, 20% of the sample (28 children) was implanted with less than 2- year-olds; another 28% of children was implemented between the ages of 2 and 3 years old; finally, 58% of children was implemented with more than 3- year-olds. The latter age of implantation may affect the standard language development. Conclusions: This study has become evident that early implantation has a positive effect on language development of deaf children.

El Efecto De La Implantación Temprana En Niños Con Hipoacusia

Hearing loss in pediatric population is a major health concern, taking into account the immediate repercussions on the cognitive, emotional and language development (serious difficulties in communication and language development). Therefore, it is of crucial importance its early diagnosis and implantation. The objective of this study is to know the effect of cochlear implant on the development of oral language in implanted children in the Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands). In order to carry out this research, the psycholinguistic profiles of children who were implanted between 2011 and 2014 were studied, through the use of two standardized tests, Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test and The Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities (ITPA). As regards the age of implantation, we could observe a significant tendency to use the visual channel in the communication of those children who were implanted at a later age and a tendency to use the auditory channel at an early age of implantation. Children who were implanted at a later age showed a nonfunctional use of the implant and a limited development of their speaking skills.