Abstract
Summary
This study analyzes profiles of syntactic usage among six-year old language disordered children. By means of the LARSP categories, the syntactic structures of 30 language disordered and 15 normal children were grouped, by a Q-Factor analysis into clusters of mathematically similar profiles. Two groups with imbalanced syntactic development, in contrast to the normal pattern of balanced development were discerned. These appear to be similar to patterns found by Crystal. The first group (A) reveals normal clause development but inadequate phrase and word structures. The second group (B) exhibits a pattern of depressed word and phrase structure but even lower ability in the area of clause structure, with the added features of inconsistent performance and a wide gap between maximum and typical performance. The relationships between profiles found in this study and those found by Crystal, as well as implications of the research are discussed.