A linguistic and cognitive persepctive on retardation.
The idea of critical readiness periods for both language learning and cognitive development was reviewed and related to mental subnormalities. A basic model of a synthesized theory of language and cognition was presented, and a theoretical "Basal Person" was constructed to illustrate a new perspective on retardation. The general conclusions reached were that (a) the basal person represents the lowest normal level of cognitive linguistic development, and (b) retardation can be defined in terms of impeded or disrupted development during critical readiness periods.
D000367:Age Factors; D002657:Child Development; D003071:Cognition; D003423:Critical Period, Psychological; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D007360:Intelligence; D007804:Language Development