Verbal Imitation in Late Talkers

Abstract

Objectives: This study was to examine the spoken language imitation abilities of 18 to 29 month old late-talking children to compared to typically developing children through the imitation of words and nonwords.Methods: The study included 15 late-talking children and 15 typically developing children matched for age and gender. The test words were 12 words and 12 nonwords, and spoken imitation was elicited by providing corresponding toys or references. Responses were categorized as correct, incorrect, or no response. Incorrect responses were further classified into whole-word errors, segmental errors, babbling, and different vocabulary responses. Whole-word errors and segmental errors were again classified into developmental and non-developmental error patterns.Results: Late-talking children exhibited significantly lower correct response ratios and higher no response ratios in verbal imitation of words and nonwords compared to typically developing children. Late-talking children had approximately 50% of their responses as no response, while typically developing children showed low ratios of no response. Both late-talking and typically developing children demonstrated better verbal imitations of words than of nonwords. Although whole-word errors were the most frequent in both groups during the verbal imitation of words, but late-talking children had higher rates of babbling responses for both words and nonwords imitation.Conclusion: This study confirmed that late-talking children exhibited limited verbal imitation abilities. Responses made by late-talking children may provide insights into their speech and language development status. Implications for research, clinical assessment, and management of late-talking children are discussed.