title: The genetic bases of speech sound disorders: evidence from spoken and written language.
abstract: The purpose of this article is to review recent findings suggesting a genetic susceptibility for speech sound disorders (SSD), the most prevalent communication disorder in early childhood. The importance of genetic studies of SSD and the hypothetical underpinnings of these genetic findings are reviewed, as well as genetic associations of SSD with other language and reading disabilities. The authors propose that many genes contribute to SSD. They further hypothesize that some genes contribute to SSD disorders alone, whereas other genes influence both SSD and other written and spoken language disorders. The authors postulate that underlying common cognitive traits, or endophenotypes, are responsible for shared genetic influences of spoken and written language. They review findings from their genetic linkage study and from the literature to illustrate recent developments in this area. Finally, they discuss challenges for identifying genetic influence on SSD and propose a conceptual framework for study of the genetic basis of SSD.
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Pediatrics and Psychology 6038, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Case Western Reserve University, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-6038, USA. barbara.lewis@case.edu
authors.forename: Barbara A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Lawrence D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Shriberg
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Freebairn
authors.forename: Amy J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: H Gerry
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Sudha K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Iyengar
mesh_terms: D001184:Articulation Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004410:Dyslexia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013068:Speech Production Measurement; D014427:Twins; D014705:Verbal Behavior