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The Utility of Natural Language Samples for Assessing Communication and Language in Infants Referred with Early Signs of AutismNatural Language Sampling (NLS) offers clear potential for communication and language assessment, where other data might be difficult to interpret. We leveraged existing primary data for 18-month-olds showing early signs of autism, to examine the reliability and concurrent construct validity of NLS-derived measures coded from video-of child language, parent linguistic input, and dyadic balance of communicative interaction-against standardised assessment scores. Using Systematic Analysis of Language Transcripts (SALT) software and coding conventions, masked coders achieved good-to-excellent inter-rater agreement across all measures.
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Early Vocabulary Development of Australian Indigenous Children: Identifying StrengthsThe current study sought to increase our understanding of the factors involved in the early vocabulary development of Australian Indigenous children.

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The Kids Research Institute Australia researchers share in State Government science grantsFour The Kids Research Institute Australia researchers are among those who have received funding in the WA State Government's Merit Award Program announced today.
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Language DevelopmentLanguage is one of the most remarkable developmental accomplishments of early childhood. Language connects us with others and is an essential tool for literacy, education, employment and lifelong learning.
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Influences of bilingual input on English vocabulary size and academic outcomes: a large-scale longitudinal study following children in Australia from five to ten yearsResearch from large population-based studies investigating the language and academic outcomes for bilingual children is rare. The current study aimed to investigate the influence of dual language exposure on (i) English vocabulary outcomes at 5 years (126 bilinguals, 1675 monolinguals), and 10 years (vocabulary: 92 bilinguals, 1413 monolinguals:), and (ii) academic outcomes at 10 years (107 bilinguals, 1746 monolinguals).
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How many words are Australian children hearing in the first year of life?These results show that a word gap related to maternal education is not apparent up to twelve months of age
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Language, cognitive flexibility, and explicit false belief understanding: Longitudinal analysis in typical development and Specific Language ImpairmentThe hypothesis that language plays a role in theory-of-mind (ToM) development is supported by a number of lines of evidence.
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The SLI construct is a critical link to the past and a bridge to the futureCommentary on Bishop, D. V. M., Ten questions about terminology for children with unexplained language problems.
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The broader language phenotype of Autism: A comparison with Specific Language ImpairmentSome individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) experience linguistic difficulties similar to those found in individuals with specific language...
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About the Australian Early Development IndexThe Australian Early Development Index (AEDI) program is conducted by the Centre for Community Child Health