title: Memory impairment in children with language impairment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess whether any memory impairment co-occurring with language impairment is global, affecting both verbal and visual domains, or domain specific.
  
  
  METHODS
  Visual and verbal memory, learning, and processing speed were assessed in children aged 6 years to 16 years 11 months (mean 9 y 9 m, SD 2 y 6 mo) with current, resolved, and no language impairment using the Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning (WRAML), a standardized memory and learning test for children, and the Children's Test of Non-Word Repetition (CNRep), a test of phonological short-term memory. Fifty-one children (38 males, 13 females) with current speech and language impairment from 49 families were compared with 13 siblings (11 males, 2 females) with a past history of language impairment and 26 (15 males, 11 females) who had never had language impairment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Children with current language impairment showed impairment in all verbal memory measures compared with children who had never had language impairment, and these impairments were still evident in children with a past history of learning impairment. Visual memory and learning were not impaired compared with children who had never had language impairment. The severity of verbal memory impairment correlated with the degree of language impairment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We concluded that in language impairment there is domain specificity of memory impairment affecting verbal processing.
authors.affiliation: Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. gillian.baird@gstt.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baird
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dworzynski
authors.forename: Vicky
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Slonims
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Simonoff
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D007807:Language Tests; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013067:Speech Perception; D014796:Visual Perception