The development of oral motor control and language.

Full Abstract

Motor control has long been associated with language skill, in deficits, both acquired and developmental, and in typical development. Most evidence comes from limb praxis however; the link between oral motor control and speech and language has been neglected, despite the fact that most language users talk with their mouths. Oral motor control is affected in a variety of developmental disorders, including Down syndrome. However, its development is poorly understood. We investigated oral motor control in three groups:
adults with acquired aphasia, individuals with developmental dysphasia, and typically developing children. In individuals with speech and language difficulties, oral motor control was impaired. More complex movements and sets of movements were even harder for individuals with language impairments. In typically developing children (21-24 months), oral motor control was found to be related to language skills. In both studies, a closer relationship was found between language and complex oral movements than simple oral movements. This relationship remained when the effect of overall cognitive ability was removed. Children who were poor at oral movements were not good at language, although children who were good at oral movements could fall anywhere on the distribution of language abilities. Oral motor skills may be a necessary precursor for language skills.

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Author information

Author/s: Alcock, Katie (K);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Lancaster University. k.j.alcock(-atsign-)lancaster.ac.uk

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review

Journal: Down's syndrome, research and practice : the journal of the Sarah Duffen Centre / University of Portsmouth (Downs Syndr Res Pract), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Aug; vol 11 (issue 1) : pp 1-8

Dates: Created 2006/10/19; Completed 2006/11/07; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 17048804, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Language Development Disorders - physiopathology
Learning - physiology
Male
Motor Skills - physiology
Mouth - growth & development; physiology
Speech Disorders - physiopathology

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