Linguistic: Application of LSA to predict linguistic maturity and language disorder in children

In this chapter we will describe applications of latent semantic analysis to assess semantic linguistic maturity in children and how well the method can predict whether a child has developmental language disorder (DLD), based on orally produced narratives. Assessment of narrative ability in preschool years captures important cognitive, linguistic and socio-pragmatic skills and is an important prognostic tool for later academic success. We discuss the usefulness and potential of computerized methods to quantify semantics in research on typical and disordered language development. More importantly, we also discuss if and how such methods can be applied in clinical or educational contexts for diagnosis of language disorder in different populations, as an objective measure to complement standardized and decontextualized tests and assessment methods.