Speech and language functioning in paediatric HIV disease

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) can potentially cause impairment to linguistic functioning. This study was the first to compare selected aspect s of speech motor control, expressive language and receptive language funct ioning in individual HIV infected children. Results suggested clinically st able HIV infected children can develop linguistic impairment. Such impairme nt is in danger of going unnoticed without assessment. Thorough and regular assessment of the linguistic functioning of long-term survivors of paediat ric HIV disease is essential if optimal speech and language therapy managem ent strategies are to be devised.