Event Based Prospective Memory and Inhibition in Children with Language Disorder

An increasing body of research suggests executive functioning (EF) interacts in language development and inhibitory control has been found to be implicated in language disorder (previously known as specific language impairment). Prospective memory (PM) is related to EF but has not been studied in the context of language disorder. This study investigated whether PM and nonverbal inhibition were impaired in children with language disorder (LD) using a novel and engaging methodology. Twenty-eight children aged 6 to 11 years participated: ten children with LD and 18 typically developing children (TD). Children completed inhibition tasks and PM tasks with Kaspar, a humanoid robot. There was a significant difference in PM scores between groups. The children with LD performed less well than their TD peers on the PM tasks. No significant differences in the scores of inhibition were found. Scores on PM and inhibition tasks were found to be related. PM is important in the everyday lives of children for children with language impairment support as part of intervention would be beneficial. Inhibition ability was not found to be impaired. The findings are discussed in relation to methodological and theoretical considerations.