As a speech-language pathologist, staying informed about the latest research can significantly enhance the outcomes of your therapeutic interventions. One such critical piece of research is "Le développement lexical précoce des enfants porteurs d'un implant cochléaire," which provides valuable insights into the lexical development of children with cochlear implants.
The study compared the vocabulary size and grammatical composition of 11 children who received cochlear implants at an average age of 15 months with those of normally-hearing children. The findings revealed that as the age of children with cochlear implants increases, their vocabulary size becomes more comparable to their hearing age rather than their chronological age.
Here are the key takeaways from the research:
- Age-Equivalent Vocabulary Size: The study found that the total vocabulary size of children with cochlear implants tends to approach their hearing age as they grow older, diverging from their chronological age.
- Grammatical Representation: The distribution of grammatical categories in the vocabulary of children with cochlear implants followed a similar pattern to that observed in normally-hearing children.
- Early Intervention Benefits: The results suggest that early cochlear implantation can lead to a lexical profile very similar to that of normally-hearing children when the total number of words acquired is the same.
For practitioners, these findings underscore the importance of early intervention and consistent auditory training. Here are some practical applications to consider:
- Monitor Vocabulary Growth: Use standardized tools like the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories (MBCDI) to regularly assess the vocabulary size of children with cochlear implants.
- Focus on Auditory Age: When planning interventions, consider the child's hearing age rather than their chronological age to set realistic and achievable goals.
- Incorporate a Variety of Grammatical Categories: Ensure that therapy sessions include a diverse range of grammatical categories to mirror the natural development observed in normally-hearing children.
In conclusion, the study highlights the potential for children with cochlear implants to achieve near-normal lexical development, given appropriate early intervention and consistent auditory exposure. By integrating these research findings into your practice, you can better tailor your interventions to meet the specific needs of children with cochlear implants.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Le développement lexical précoce des enfants porteurs d'un implant cochléaire.
