The Link Between the Applied Visual Strategy When Copying the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure and the Language Abilities in Children with Specific Language Impairment

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Although specific language impairment (SLI) was thought to be a language impairment, recent studies suggest that it is also associated with domain-general and nonverbal deficits such as deficits in nonverbal working memory, visual short-term memory, executive functions, etc. This study aimed to examine if applied visual strategy when copying the Rey-Osterrieth complex figure (ROCF) correlates with language abilities in children with SLI. Methods: The sample consisted of 37 children diagnosed with SLI, divided into two groups based on the strategy used when copying ROCF. We used ROCF to assess perceptual organization and planning, and the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, Boston Naming Test, Token Test, Grammatical Judgment, The Children's Grammar, and Global Articulation Test for language measurement. Univariate ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Results: The results indicate that children who used a more mature strategy when copying ROCF achieved better results on tests used to assess grammar and articulation status. Conclusions: These results support the conclusion that there are neurocognitive mechanisms underlying both grammatical and visuospatial deficits. The obtained results suggest the importance of examining visual and visuospatial functions in children with SLI and the need for more comprehensive treatment of those children.

Keywords: Rey–Osterrieth complex figure; language abilities; specific language impairment; visual organization; visual perception.