PRADER WILLI SYNDROME (PWS): LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH VERBAL IQ

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate the language of Spanish-speaking people with Prader Willi Syndrome (PWS) with the purpose of identifying their strengths and weaknesses. In addition, we evaluated its relationship with the verbal IQ (VIQ).

INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS: We used the CELF 4 (Clinical evaluation of Language Fundamentals 4^th edition – Spanish version), applied to 12 People with PWS between 11 and 45 years old, without growth hormone treatment and enough skills to keep up with the assessment. Also, we evaluate VIQ with WISC III /WAIS III.

RESULTS: We identified a better performance in word definitions (5.09±2.54), number repetition (4.5±3.55), familiar sequences (3.92±3.87), and formulated sentences (3.83±2.08). The worst performance was found in understanding spoken paragraphs (2.42±4.31). Regarding the relationship with the VIQ, we identified significant associations with receptive language (r=0.61, p=0.04), language content (r=0.64, p=0.03) and working memory (r=0.61, p=0.04). 

CONCLUSIONS: Spanish-speaking individuals with PWS showed a significant language impairment, with a distinct profile.