Language and executive function skills as predictors of semantic fluency performance in pre-school children.

To explore how language and executive function skills of pre-school-aged children contribute to semantic fluency (a form of verbal fluency) performance. This study investigated effect of age and contribution of vocabulary and executive function on qualitative aspects of the semantic fluency task. Forty typically developing Australian-English-speaking pre-school children, aged 4;0-5;11 (mean age = 55.

Communication and swallowing management in childhood brain tumour or leukaemia: A survey of health professionals and consumers.

Brain tumour and leukaemia represent the most common childhood cancers and can result in communication and swallowing difficulties. The purpose of this study was to survey health professionals and consumers regarding the management of communication and swallowing difficulties in children with brain tumour or leukaemia (CBTL). In this study participants completed a survey focussing on (1) communication and swallowing assessment and intervention, (2) multidisciplinary team (MDT) practices and (3) risk factors.

Prospective longitudinal decline in cognitive-communication skills following treatment for childhood brain tumor.

Background: The effect of childhood brain tumor and its treatments on the developing brain are recognized to cause late-occurring structural and functional changes, inclusive of neurocognitive and communication disturbances.

Aims: The aim of the present study was to investigate changes in function in the prospective cognitive-communication and language abilities of two children surviving childhood brain tumor (CBT) over a 12-month period post-treatment.

Methods: The comprehensive language and cognitive-communication abilities of two cases (male aged 7;8-8;8, female aged 10;9-11;9) were assessed at two timepoints over a 12-month period: six months and 18 months following completion of CBT cancer treatment.

Communication and swallowing outcomes of children diagnosed with childhood brain tumor or leukemia: A systematic review.

The purpose of this systematic review was to appraise and synthesize evidence on communication and swallowing outcomes associated with childhood brain tumor or leukemia (CBTL). A comprehensive database and grey literature search was conducted. Studies included: (a) peer-reviewed research published between 1998 and 2019, (b) English language, (c) children aged 0-16 years diagnosed with CBTL, and (d) used outcome measures focused on communication and/or swallowing.