Title | Is atypical rhythm a risk factor for developmental speech and language disorders? |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2020 |
Authors | Ladányi E, Persici V, Fiveash A, Tillmann B, Gordon RL |
Journal | Wiley Interdiscip Rev Cogn Sci |
Volume | 11 |
Issue | 5 |
Pagination | e1528 |
Date Published | 2020 Sep |
ISSN | 1939-5086 |
Abstract | Although a growing literature points to substantial variation in speech/language abilities related to individual differences in musical abilities, mainstream models of communication sciences and disorders have not yet incorporated these individual differences into childhood speech/language development. This article reviews three sources of evidence in a comprehensive body of research aligning with three main themes: (a) associations between musical rhythm and speech/language processing, (b) musical rhythm in children with developmental speech/language disorders and common comorbid attentional and motor disorders, and (c) individual differences in mechanisms underlying rhythm processing in infants and their relationship with later speech/language development. In light of converging evidence on associations between musical rhythm and speech/language processing, we propose the Atypical Rhythm Risk Hypothesis, which posits that individuals with atypical rhythm are at higher risk for developmental speech/language disorders. The hypothesis is framed within the larger epidemiological literature in which recent methodological advances allow for large-scale testing of shared underlying biology across clinically distinct disorders. A series of predictions for future work testing the Atypical Rhythm Risk Hypothesis are outlined. We suggest that if a significant body of evidence is found to support this hypothesis, we can envision new risk factor models that incorporate atypical rhythm to predict the risk of developing speech/language disorders. Given the high prevalence of speech/language disorders in the population and the negative long-term social and economic consequences of gaps in identifying children at-risk, these new lines of research could potentially positively impact access to early identification and treatment. This article is categorized under: Linguistics > Language in Mind and Brain Neuroscience > Development Linguistics > Language Acquisition. |
DOI | 10.1002/wcs.1528 |
Alternate Journal | Wiley Interdiscip Rev Cogn Sci |
PubMed ID | 32244259 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC7415602 |
Grant List | R01 DC016977 / DC / NIDCD NIH HHS / United States R03 DC014802 / DC / NIDCD NIH HHS / United States NSF 1926794 / / National Science Foundation / ANRR-16-CE28-0012 / / ANR / K18DC017383 / NH / NIH HHS / United States DP2 HD098859 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States DP2HD098859 / NH / NIH HHS / United States K18 DC017383 / DC / NIDCD NIH HHS / United States R03DC014802 / NH / NIH HHS / United States ANR-10LABX-60 / / ANR / R01DC016977 / NH / NIH HHS / United States DP2HD098859 / NH / NIH HHS / United States K18DC017383 / NH / NIH HHS / United States R01DC016977 / NH / NIH HHS / United States R03DC014802 / NH / NIH HHS / United States |