The word length effect in children with language impairment.

UNLABELLED Two types of serial word recall tasks (full verbal recall and probed recall) were administered to 11 children with language impairment and 22 language-normal children matched for productive language or chronological age. The methods were designed to take into account age-related differences in the use of subvocal rehearsal, as measured by the word length effect. The word length effect was significant for all three groups in full recall, but not in probed recall, supporting the hypothesis that children with language impairment demonstrate limited capacity for processing verbal output. Discussion focuses on the importance of considering developmental factors in measuring short-term memory effects in children with language impairment. LEARNING OUTCOMES As a result of this activity, the participant will be able to describe the phonological loop hypothesis and discuss the interactions between working memory and language performance in children with language disorders.