As speech-language pathologists/therapists you know A LOT about language is acquisition and the developmental sequence for language coming “online.” This workshop will explore the relationship between language and cognition through questions including: What happens to cognition when language development is delayed or interrupted? In the presence of intellectual disabilities, what happens to language development? In what ways does language development foster cognitive growth? How do gesture and sign language shape cognition? Join us for this workshop and come away with deeper understanding of the relationship between cognition and language as well as strategies that can be applied for bolstering language in the context of unique cognitive presentations.

Learning objectives: Upon completion of this workshop, learners will be able to:

1. Define, in lay terms, “cognitive development,” identifying a minimum of three key processes.
2. Describe a common myth about the relationship between language and cognition and, using information from the workshop, generate an argument to refute the myth.
3. List at least two ways that gesture shapes cognition and be able to describe the phenomenon to a colleague.