In Bilinguals' Hands: Identification of Bilingual, Preverbal Infants at Risk for Language Delay

Studies with monolingual infants show that the gestural behavior of 1-2-year-olds is a strong predictor for later language competencies and, more specifically, that the absence of index-finger pointing at 12 months seems to be a valid indicator for risk of language delay (LD). In this study a lack of index-finger pointing at 12 months was utilized as diagnostic criterion to identity infants with a high risk for LD at 24 months in a sample of 42 infants growing up bilingually. Results confirm earlier findings from monolinguals showing that 12-month-olds who point with the extended index finger have an advanced language status at 24 months and are less likely language delayed than infants who only point with the whole hand and do not produce index-finger points at 12 months.

Automated summary

Studies show that the gestural behavior of monolingual infants aged 1-2 can predict their later language competencies. Specifically, the absence of index-finger pointing at 12 months seems to indicate a risk of language delay. This study confirms these findings in a sample of 42 bilingual infants, where the lack of index-finger pointing at 12 months is used as a diagnostic criterion to identify those at high risk for language delay at 24 months.