Bilingualism in Children with and without Developmental Language Disorder: Enhancing Cognitive Function and Mental Development

Hasanvand, Mohammad Bagher; Taheri, Zahra

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Hasanvand M B, Taheri Z. Bilingualism in Children with and without Developmental Language Disorder: Enhancing Cognitive Function and Mental Development. Advances in Cognitive Sciences 2025; 27
URL: http://icssjournal.ir/article-1-1866-en.html

Bilingualism in Children with and without Developmental Language Disorder: Enhancing Cognitive Function and Mental Development

Mohammad Bagher Hasanvand¹

, Zahra Taheri ^*²

1- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran
2- Bachelor of Arts in Russian Language, Department of Russian Language, Faculty of Persian Literature and Foreign Languages, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract: (29 Views)

Bilingualism is a prevalent phenomenon in multicultural environments that significantly influences children's cognitive and language development. Investigating the impact of bilingualism on children with and without Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is crucial, as it enhances comprehension of language's role in cognitive abilities. This systematic review was conducted by examining existing studies in the field of bilingualism and developmental language disorders. The data analyzed included studies comparing the cognitive and language functions of bilingual children (both with and without DLD) with those of their monolingual peers. Findings reveal that bilingual children, whether or not they have DLD, generally excel in areas such as cognitive flexibility, attentional control, and working memory. However, in children with DLD, bilingualism alone does not exacerbate the disorder; rather, enhanced executive control may help compensate for underlying language deficits. Individual differences, such as the age of second language acquisition and the quality of language exposure, also play a significant role in shaping outcomes. Bilingualism can function as a factor that enhances cognitive functioning, particularly when accompanied by appropriate educational support. For children with DLD, targeted interventions may facilitate the utilization of the cognitive advantages associated with bilingualism. Future research should aim to more closely examine the interaction between bilingualism and developmental language disorders.

Keywords: Bilingualism, Developmental language disorder, Cognitive functions, Cognitive control, Children

Type of Study: Research |
Received: 2025/11/26 | Accepted: 2025/12/1 | Published: 2025/12/1

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