The Relationship of Genes, Environments, and Developmental Language Disorders
Part I: Research for the Twenty-first Century
May 2-4, 2002 in Tempe, Arizona

In the last ten years, we have experienced significant advances in our understanding of language disorders in children. Both inherited and environmental factors now complete the picture of human development and disability. Scientific knowledge is often limited, however, by research programs that focus on a specific clinical area, such as, Williams Syndrome, autism, or Specific Language Impairment. This conference was designed to bridge the gaps and build a unified theoretical framework on language and developmental disabilities across clinical populations. By bringing together experts in genetics, neuroscience, and behavioral development, we are finding answers about: characteristics that the disorders share; the unique aspects of each disorder; and the reasons for shared characteristics among disorders. The ultimate purpose of this inquiry is to create more effective treatments for persons with disabilities.

The book was published in May 2004 by Lawrence Erlbaum -- Developmental Language Disorders: From Phenotypes to Etiologies.

Photo Gallery - photos by Tim Trumble