Childhood maltreatment is an unfortunate reality, and we know that children who have experienced trauma are also likely to have lower language skills. The authors of this study looked specifically at narrative language skills in children removed from their homes because of maltreatment. Why narrative? Victims of suspected maltreatment are likely to be interviewed as part of criminal cases, and the interviews may be the only evidence of what happened to them. When the stakes are that high, it’s crucial that we know about these children’s narrative ability.

The authors tested a group of elementary-aged children who…