Language Development and Language Impairment - by Paul Fletcher & Ciara O'Toole (Paperback)

About the Book

"Language Development and Language Impairment offers a problem-based introduction to the assessment and treatment of a wide variety of childhood language developmental disorders. Focuses for the most part on the pre-school years, the period during which the foundations for language development are laid Uses a problem-based approach, designed to motivate students to find the information they need to identify and explore learning issues that a particular speech or language issue raises Examines the development of a child's phonological system, the growth of vocabulary, the development of grammar, and issues related to conversational and narrative competence Integrates information on typical and atypical language development "--

Book Synopsis

Language Development and Language Impairment offers a problem-based introduction to the assessment and treatment of a wide variety of childhood language developmental disorders.

• Focuses for the most part on the pre-school years, the period during which the foundations for language development are laid
• Uses a problem-based approach, designed to motivate students to find the information they need to identify and explore learning issues that a particular speech or language issue raises
• Examines the development of a child's phonological system, the growth of vocabulary, the development of grammar, and issues related to conversational and narrative competence
• Integrates information on typical and atypical language development

From the Back Cover

"This is an extremely useful book. The overviews of each major aspect of typical language learning from infancy through to the school years are detailed and accessible and provide an excellent basis for the approach to the various problems with language learning than can arise in atypical development. It provides an excellent resource for the teaching of both typical and atypical language development."
Elena Lieven, University of Manchester

"In this engaging and accessible book, Fletcher and O'Toole provide an up-to-date and comprehensive overview of research into language development, demonstrating how the 'effortless achievement' of learning to speak and understand is actually accomplished. Vignettes of children using language support the key points in each chapter, making this a useful source book for all those who work with young children."
Usha Goswami, University of Cambridge

"I'm sure this will become a favorite text for students of speech-language therapy. The problem-based approach is perfect for helping bridge the gap between research and practice. Highly recommended."
Dorothy Bishop, University of Oxford

Language Development and Language Impairment offers a problem-based introduction to language impairment in the preschool years, from the vantage point of typical language development. The authors begin with an overview of issues in the study of language development, and an introduction to some of the causes of language impairment. This is followed by a thorough examination of the infrastructure for speech and language laid down in the first year of life, and the potential for speech or language deficits should the trajectory of development in this period be deflected, diverted, or delayed. Subsequent chapters deal separately with development and impairment in the sound system, in the acquisition of vocabulary, in the grammatical system, and in conversation and narrative. Chapters are organized around a series of "problems" - case histories, datasets, quotations, conversations, etc. - which serve to focus the discussion of a specific topic in typical development or impairment. By considering in detail the major features of the foundational years of language development, Language Development and Language Impairment offers invaluable insights into the optimal and sub-optimal evolution of a child's linguistic competence.

Review Quotes

"This publication meets the specific needs of speech and language therapy students by integrating language impairment and language development throughout the text...the text will be of use to student clinicians throughout their course and to qualified clinicians as they develop their paediatric practice, as well as to those in related areas. From the outset, readers are presented with knowledge and theories in an applied context, rather than being required to make the leap of application alone...an excellent resource for all involved with teaching and learning in this area." - Lorette Porter, First Language, 2017

"...merits a place on a list of core texts. Its structure, focus and emphasis on self-directed learning resonate well with the competencies required of autonomous professionals and make it a valuable addition to the resources available to further our understanding of the skills and competencies of young children as they navigate the world of language and communication." - the Journal of Clinical Language Studies

About the Author

Paul Fletcher is Emeritus Professor, Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University College Cork,
Ireland, where he was previously Professor. He has also held professorships at the University of Hong Kong and Reading University.

Ciara O'Toole is Lecturer in Speech and Language Therapy at the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University College Cork, Ireland. Her teaching and research interests are in the area of pediatric communication development and disorders. She has a particular interest in bilingual language acquisition.