Developmental Language Disorders: Learning, Language, and the Brain

Written at a level accessible to graduate students, practicing speech-language pathologists, and special educators working in a clinical context, this work surveys recent research in cognitive science and neuroscience as it relates to the neurobiological basis of language development, language learning, and developmental disorders that affect language, and shows how these findings can be used in the design of interventions for children through young adults. Initial chapters present a primer of relevant neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, and review neuroimaging methods. The book then explains the neurological basis of specific developmental language disorders, autism, reading disorders, and genetic conditions associated with mental retardation. The last three chapters outline methods of brain-based assessment and intervention for different ages. Williams teaches in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at Duquesne University. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)