Marianna E. Hayiou?Thomas
Genetic and environmental influences on early speech, language and literacy development
University of York
genetic environmental etiology speech broader language skills examined terms concurrent relationships young children longitudinal association reading role play defining heritable phenotype specific language impairment sli work based large sample 4 12yearold twins assessed home broad range speech language measures part twins early development study found genetic factors strongly influence variation young childrens speech typical development well sli genetic factors also account much relationship early speech later reading contrast shared environmental factors play dominant role broader language skills relating skills later reading isolated impairments language opposed speech appear largely environmental origins 1 readers able discuss ways behavioural genetic methods make useful contribution field communication disorders 2 readers able compare genetic environmental contributions general language versus speech skills young children 3 readers able describe likely relationship early speech language later reading development terms shared genetic environmental resources 4 readers able discuss different ascertainment methods clinical samples may lead different understandings nature disorder specific language impairment