Social interaction deficits and conversational inadequacy in Williams syndrome

Stojanovik, V. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6791-9968 (2006) Social interaction deficits and conversational inadequacy in Williams syndrome. Journal of Neurolinguistics, 19 (2). pp. 157-173. ISSN 0911-6044 doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroling.2005.11.005

Abstract/Summary

Research on social communication skills in individuals with Williams syndrome has been inconclusive, with some arguing that these skills are a relative strength and others that they are a weakness. The aim of the present study was to investigate social interaction abilities in a group of children with WS, and to compare them to a group of children with specific language impairment and a group of typically developing children. Semi-structured conversations were conducted and 100-150 utterances were selected for analysis in terms of exchange structure, turn taking, information transfer and conversational inadequacy. The statistical analyses showed that the children with WS had difficulties with exchange structure and responding appropriately to the interlocutor's requests for information and clarification. They also had significant difficulties with interpreting meaning and providing enough information for the conversational partner. Despite similar language abilities with a group of children with specific language impairment, the children with WS had different social interaction skills, which suggests that they follow an atypical trajectory of development and their neurolinguistic profile does not directly support innate modularity. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/13853
Item Type	Article
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences
Uncontrolled Keywords	social communication, Williams syndrome, specific language impairment, modularity, conversational inadequacy, atypical development, LANGUAGE IMPAIRMENT, PRAGMATIC DISORDER, CHILDREN, COMMUNICATION, MODULARITY, FEATURES, PROFILE
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