In this study we investigated a set of 100 sentence contexts and their cloze probabilities to develop a database of linguistic stimuli for Brazilian Portuguese children and adolescents. The study ...also examined age-related changes on cloze probabilities, and specified the predictor effects of age and cloze probabilities on idiosyncratic responses and errors (semantic, syntactic, and other errors). Finally, the study also aimed to shed light on cultural effects on word generation by comparing Brazilian and Portuguese sentence databases.
361 typically developing monolingual Brazilian speakers, with ages ranging from 7 to 18 years, participated in the study. The cloze task was composed by 100 sentence contexts, grounded on the European Portuguese database. Responses were classified as valid (correct) or invalid (semantic, syntactic, and other-type errors). Statistical analyses were based on mixed-effects logistic models.
Sixty-three sentences met criteria for high cloze probabilities, 30 for medium cloze, and 7 for low cloze. Age was a significant predictor of idiosyncratic responses, semantic and syntactic errors: older participants were less likely to produce idiosyncratic responses, as well as semantic and syntactic errors. Cloze probability values were concordant in the Brazilian and Portuguese databases for 31 out of 49 (83.7%) high-cloze sentences and for 7 low-cloze sentences.
In this study we have provided a database with cloze probability values for a set of 100 sentence-final word contexts for Brazilian Portuguese children and adolescents. Results showed that both age and sentence contextual level predicted sentence final word completion. Older participants were more likely to choose more consistently the same final word, with the contextual level of a given sentence also contributing to the final word selection. Age should be controlled for in future studies probing semantic processing with this set of sentences.
Abstract Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS), a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a microdeletion on chromosomic region 7q11.23, presents with peculiar behavioral and neurocognitive phenotypes that ...are marked by apparently preserved social and communicative abilities, which contrasts with low overall cognitive and particularly visuospatial performance. In addition, parents often report complaints of sleep disorders and behavioral problems of unknown cause. Sleep is a biological phenomenon that is modulated by the plasma concentration of melatonin and with influence on behavioral aspects and memory. Thus, this study sought to investigate the behavior, memory and the presence of sleep disorders in WBS and to correlate these factors with each other and with the plasma melatonin content. We used the Child Behavior Checklist for ages 6–18 (CBCL), the digit subtest of the Wechsler scale for auditory memory, the visual sequential memory subtest of the Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities (ITPA) and the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC). Determination of urinary aMT6s, an indirect measure of plasma melatonin content, was held for 72 h by ELISA, and the analysis of the circadian rhythm of this content was performed by the Cosinor method. The results of the CBCL showed that 87% of the WBS group presented with a clinical score on the overall competence and total behavioral problems. Furthermore, the behavioral problems that were most frequently reported by parents were anxiety and problems of thought. All individuals with WBS presented with impairments in auditory memory and 47% with impairments in visual sequential memory; 65% of the WBS group presented with an indicative of at least one sleep disorder, where respiratory, initiation and maintenance of sleep (DIMS) and hyperhidrosis were the most frequent disorders. The night time aMT6s levels were lower in individuals with WBS when compared with controls; 53% of the WBS group did not present with circadian rhythm variations in aMT6s levels. In addition, there was a negative correlation between the scores of auditory memory and the total score of sleep disorders and between the DIMS and nocturnal aMT6s content. In conclusion, in the present study, individuals with WBS showed a high frequency of behavioral and memory problems, sleep disturbances and no rhythm variation in aMT6s levels. The low melatonin content may be related with sleep disorders in this population, which, in turn, can have an adverse effect on specific cognitive skills such as memory.
AIMTo evaluate the prevalence and types of sleep problems and their correlations with melatonin content and behavior in Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) children.METHODSleep in ADHD ...children and typically developing children (TD) aged 6-14 was assessed by the Sleep Disorders Scale for Children (SDSC) and actigraphy, salivary melatonin quantified by ELISA, and behavior was analyzed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.RESULTSADHD children showed a higher frequency of sleep disturbances, higher sleep latency, and lower sleep efficiency than in the TD group. The ADHD group presented lower melatonin nocturnal content compared to the TD group. Disorders of Initiating and Maintaining Sleep (DIMS) was moderately associated with nocturnal melatonin. The total behavior difficulties were correlated with Disorders of Initiating and Maintaining Sleep (DIMS), Sleep/Wake Transition Disorders (SWTD), Disorders of Excessive Somnolence (DES), Sleep Hyperhidrosis (SHY) and Total SDSC Score. The behavior was the only determinant of the total SDSC score (R2 = 0.499; p < 0.002).CONCLUSIONThis study provides, for the first time, evidence that among the frequent sleep disturbances in ADHD, the disorders in initiating and maintaining sleep are associated with the low levels of melatonin found in this population. Additionally, these, along with other sleep disturbances, are linked to behavioral problems in ADHD.
The characterization of the phenotype of children with congenital Zika virus syndrome (CZS) is an ongoing process, since many characteristics can only be described with the advancing age of children ...providing some insights into the long-term sequelae.
To describe emerging findings on the impact of CZS on language development in children with CZS in a 4-year longitudinal study.
39 boys and 44 girls with CZS were allocated into four groups according to age ranging from 12 to 36 months. Language development was assessed using the Early Language Milestone Scale.
Visual, expressive, and receptive auditory skills of patients were lower than expected for their age. Despite producing vowel sounds, they did not babble; despite present hearing, the majority of the children did not understand simple commands. In over 4 years of follow-up, there was no evolution in language parameters, with the children stagnating at the language skills corresponding to 3 months of age.
Most children with CZS are not able to produce vocalic sounds, but some may be able to communicate basic needs through alternative communication.
Some babies with CZS died prenatally, at birth, or in the first year of life due to associated complications such as respiratory infection, dysphagia, and epilepsy. However, the functionality of the future remains uncertain for surviving babies. This study adds information about the impact of Zika Virus on the central nervous system and, consequently, the severity and complexity of the CZS language. Over 4 years of follow-up, no evolution in language parameters was observed in children with CSZ. Children with CZS demonstrate severe neurodevelopmental impairment, stagnating in language skills at the age of 3 months. In the future, some of them may be able to communicate their basic needs through alternative communication.
The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between sleep disorders and the behavior of subjects with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and control subjects using specific questionnaires. A ...small percentage (1.8%) of the control subjects had symptoms indicative of sleep-breathing disorders (SBD) and nocturnal sweating. Fifty-nine percent of the subjects with ASD had symptoms indicative of at least one sleep disorder, with SBD the most commonly reported (38%). In the control group, the symptoms of SBD were correlated with social, thought, attentional, aggression, externalizing and behavioral problems. In the ASD group, disorders of arousal (DA) were correlated with thinking problems, and disorders of excessive somnolence were correlated with thinking and behavioral problems. These results suggest that children and adolescents with ASD have a high frequency of sleep disorders, which in turn correlate with some of the behavioral traits that they already exhibit. Furthermore, sleep disturbances, when present in the typically developing children, also correlated with behavioral problems.
RESUMO Objetivo Investigar se o escore narrativo obtido por meio da aplicação do “Protocolo de Avaliação da Narrativa Oral de História (ProNOH)” permite discriminar os grupos etários estudados, bem ...como sua relação com o nível de coerência global da história. Método Participaram 97 pré-escolares e escolares com desenvolvimento típico de linguagem, entre 5 e 12 anos, ambos os sexos que frequentavam escola pública. Foi aplicado o “Protocolo de Avaliação da Narrativa Oral de História (ProNOH)” e calculado o escore narrativo na dimensão macroestrutural a partir dos elementos estruturais previstos no modelo da gramática de história. Esses mesmos elementos foram usados para obter o nível de coerência global da história, segundo proposta de análise de Spinillo e Martins (1997). Resultados Diferença estatisticamente significante foi encontrada entre os grupos etários, principalmente entre as idades fronteiriças de 5-6 anos, 7-8 anos, 9-10 anos e 11-12 anos. Correlação positiva e estatisticamente significante foi encontrada com a idade e o escore narrativo e a coerência global, bem como entre o escore narrativo e o nível de coerência global. Conclusão O protocolo mostrou ser útil para identificar o repertório de elementos típicos da gramática de história na narrativa oral como uma medida objetiva que diferenciou a narrativa oral de grupos etários. Os resultados indicaram ainda que o escore narrativo pode ser uma medida norteadora do nível de coerência da história, apesar deste valor não substituir uma análise específica.
ABSTRACT Purpose To investigate if the narrative score of the ProNOH protocol allows for discriminating age groups, as well as its relation with the global coherence level of the story. The performance of preschool and schoolchildren on the macrostructure aspects. Methods Participants were 97 preschoolers and schoolchildren with typical language development, aged between five and 12 years old, and both sexes who attended public schools. The “Protocolo de Avaliação da Narrativa Oral de História (ProNOH)” (Protocol for the Evaluation of Oral Storytelling) was applied and the narrative score in the macrostructure dimension was calculated with story grammar elements. These same story elements were used to obtain the global coherence level of the story, as proposed by Spinillo and Martins (1997). Results A statistically significant difference was found between age groups, mainly between the borderline ages of 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years, and 11-12 years. Positive and statistically significant correlations were found between the narrative score and global coherence and age, as well as between the narrative score and global coherence. Conclusion The protocol proved to be useful for identifying the repertoire of typical story grammar elements as an objective measure that differs in oral narrative across age groups. The results also indicate that the narrative score can provide an idea about the global coherence of the story, although this value does not replace a specific analysis.
This book is the result of the scientific activities developed during the III International Symposium of the Research Group “Speech and Language Assessment” – Interdisciplinary Perspective in Speech ...Therapy; II Meeting of Researchers in Language; and III Brazilian Congress of Speech Therapy and Genetics of Communication Disorders. This event was held from May 16 to 18, 2019, at the Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho - UNESP, in the municipality of Marília - SP, under my coordination. The Symposium aimed to promote a debate on contemporary themes in Speech and Language Assessment and the intersection of large areas of knowledge, which share the same research object – Human Communication and its disorders.
To present a brief report of the first steps that involved the process of the cultural translation and adaptation of the Expressive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test, fourth edition to Brazilian ...Portuguese (BP).
The process of translation and adaptation of this instrument was performed in the following steps: (1) translation of the original text (English) to Brazilian Portuguese (target culture) by two different sworn translators oriented towards our research goal; (2) parity analysis between both translations and design, by a group of experts, of a synthesis version; (3) back translation of the synthesis version by two other sworn translators who did not participate in step 1; and (4) Comparison between back-translation and the original version made by a group of specialists, thus shaping the pre-final adapted version of the EOWPVT-4.
In the Brazilian version, the number of items from the original version was maintained and the cultural adaptation of the EOWPVT-4 to BP followed the steps recommended in the literature besides considering the differences in the socio-cultural context, showing no significant discrepancies regarding semantic equivalence. Relevant adaptations (e.g., items not representative within the Brazilian culture) were required during this process so that the instrument could be used with the same methodological rigor as the original instrument.
The process of cultural adaptation of this instrument indicated that there was theoretical, semantic, idiomatic and cultural equivalence with the original version in English.
Sleep disturbances and behavior in Smith-Magenis syndrome Garayzábal, Elena; Hidalgo, Irene; Miranda de Souza, Ana Luiza Decanini ...
Research in developmental disabilities,
September 2022, 2022-09-00, 20220901, Letnik:
128
Journal Article
Recenzirano
The Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) shows a collection of neurodevelopmental problems including mild to moderate intellectual disability, change-related anxiety, impulsivity, speech delay, ...Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADH) and sleep disturbances. Sleep disorders, when present, have been treated in several populations with consecutive improvements in cognitive and behavioral aspects.
To better understand the existing relationships between sleep disturbances and behavioral problems in SMS syndrome this study describes the sleep and behavior problems in the SMS and explores the possible relation between both.
17 individuals with SMS (50% males; 11.2 ± 4.9 years old) and 12 individuals with typical development (50% male; 11.1 ± 4.4 years old) were investigated using the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children and the Child Behavior Checklist.
A high percentage (60%) of individuals with SMS have an indication of sleep disorders, being the most frequent disorders the sleep-wake transition disorders, and disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep with sleep latency higher than acceptable and total sleep time below acceptable. More than 94% of the SMS group presented clinical or borderline scores on the total behavioral problems scale. The most common behavioral problems were Externalizing Problems, Thought and Attention, ADH and Aggressive problems. There was a positive correlation between disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep, sleep-wake transition disorders, disorders of arousal, disorders of excessive somnolence and behavioral problems.
The worse the sleep disturbances investigated, the more severe the behavioral problems characteristics reinforcing the importance to address the sleep problems in the treatment of SMS individuals.
•complaints of sleep problems are very frequent in SMS.•Sleep problems impact behavior and cognitive functions.•The relation of specific sleep disturbances and behavior problems is unclear in SMS.
To investigate and compare the oral narrative of individuals with FASD and individuals with typical language development (TLD), as well as to correlate the narrative performance with the score from ...4-Digit Diagnostic Code.
Participants were 20 individuals with FASD, of both genders, with chronological age between 6 and 16 years, and 20 individuals with TLD, same gender and similar to the FASD group in age and socioeconomic status. The oral narrative was elicited using the book Frog, where are you? and the data were analyzed in terms of macrostructure, microstructure and global coherence level. Measures regarding the macrostructure included the presence of typical structural elements of storytelling, while the microstructural aspects included words (total and different words), communication units (C-Units), lexical diversity, and mean length of C-Units.
Low performance was found in the FASD group for all macrostructural aspects, with the exception of linguistic markers. Among the microstructural aspects, lexical diversity and incomplete C-Units were different between the FASD and TLD groups. The FASD group presented lower global coherence level compared to the TLD group. Negative correlations were found between macrostructural aspects, facial characteristics, and Central Nervous System impairment.
Restricted use of typical structural elements of storytelling with lower levels of coherence and reduced vocabulary distinguished the FASD from the TDL group. Future studies may explore whether the association between narrative performance and the 4-Digit Diagnostic Code items present predictive values in the narrative performance of individuals with FASD.
PDF
