Auditory verbal learning and memory in young adults with specific language impairment

Abstract

One of the primary characteristics of a specific language impairment (SLI) is a deficit in language learning. Insight into the basis of SLI may be obtained through research of the learning characteristics of these individuals. This study investigated the verbal learning and memory of 28 individuals with SLI (Mean age = 21 years, 8 months) and 28 controls (Mean age = 19 years, 11 months) using Rey's Auditory Verbal Learning Test. Results showed statistically significant differences in the amount of words recalled for List A Trials 1 and 3 and for List B. However, the groups did not differ significantly in learning rate across the learning trials nor in retention of information during post-distractor List A recall. The subjective organization strategies of encoding information for the two groups could not explain the differences in the amount of words recalled. These findings of differences in initial list-learning ability but not in learning rate may support the limited capacity for verbal processing theory of SLI.