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The production of complex sentences by young and older adults with mild to moderate retardation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 November 2008

Martin Fujiki ,
Bonnie Brinton ,
Valyne watson  and
Lee A. Robinson
Martin Fujiki*
Affiliation:
Brigham Young University
Bonnie Brinton
Affiliation:
Brigham Young University
Valyne watson
Affiliation:
Brigham Young University
Lee A. Robinson
Affiliation:
Brigham Young University
*
Martin Fujiki, Brigham Young University, P.O. Box 28673, Provo, UT 84602
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Abstract

This study examined the ability of young (mean CA = 29 years; SD = 3.67 years) and older adults (CA = 63 years; SD = 5.54 years) with mild to moderate mental retardation to produce complex sentences in naturalistic conversation. All of the complex sentences produced were coded into subcategories of complementation, relativization, or coordination. First, the overall proportion of complex utterances produced by each subject (based on the total number of utterances) was examined. Following this analysis, the well-formed production and productivity of the three general categories of complex sentences were considered. Individual complex sentences were then categorized by developmental level using Rosenberg and Abbeduto's (1987) acquisition scale. No significant differences were observed between the young and older groups.

Type
Articles
Information
Applied Psycholinguistics , Volume 17 , Issue 1 , January 1996 , pp. 41 - 57
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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