Patterns of Language Learning by Instruction: Evidence from Nonspeaking Persons with Mental Retardation

The majority of children with mental retardation encounter some degree of difficulty acquiring a first language regardless of the etiology of their cognitive disability (Bensberg & Sigelman, 1976; Keane, 1972; Rosenberg, 1982). Two broad patterns of language acquisition impairments, based on oral language production skills, can be distinguished in children with mental retardation.