Is specific language impairment a valid diagnostic category? Genetic and psycholinguistic evidence

1994 ◽  
Vol 346 (1315) ◽  
pp. 105-111 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Language Impairment ◽  
Specific Language Impairment ◽  
Language Disorder ◽  
Diagnostic Category ◽  
Verbal Ability ◽  
Specific Language ◽  
The Social ◽  
Apparent Reason ◽  
Underlying Disorder ◽  
Specific Disorders

Specific language impairment (SLI) is diagnosed when a child fails to develop language normally for no apparent reason: hearing and intelligence are adequate and the social environment is unexceptional. Definitions of SLI typically specify that the child must have a substantial discrepancy between language ability and non-verbal IQ. However, data from a twin study question the validity of this requirement, and indicate that SLI is not genetically distinct from less specific disorders where language impairment occurs in the context of low average or borderline non-verbal ability. A second question concerns the heterogeneous language symptoms seen in SLI: do these correspond to distinct conditions, or to different phenotypic manifestations of a common underlying disorder, or are they merely random variations resulting from unreliable assessments? The last of these possibilities is ruled out by the finding that twins who are concordant for language disorder show good agreement in terms of the pattern of language impairment. However, systematic variation in the age and ability of children in different SLI subgroups suggest that these may correspond to variable manifestations of a core inherited language disorder, rather than distinct diagnostic entities.

scholarly journals Developmental Language Disorder: Applications for Advocacy, Research, and Clinical Service

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karla K. McGregor ◽  
Lisa Goffman ◽  
Amanda Owen Van Horne ◽  
Tiffany P. Hogan ◽  
Lizbeth H. Finestack
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Language Impairment ◽  
Specific Language Impairment ◽  
Language Disorder ◽  
Scientific Progress ◽  
The United States ◽  
Developmental Language Disorder ◽  
Specific Language ◽  
Language Deficit ◽  
English Speaking

Purpose The CATALISE group (Bishop, Snowling, Thompson, Greenhalgh, & CATALISE Consortium, 2016; Bishop, Snowling, Thompson, Greenhalgh, & CATALISE-2 Consortium, 2017) recommended that the term developmental language disorder (DLD) be used to refer to neurodevelopmental language deficit. In this tutorial, we explain the appropriate application of the term and present advantages in adhering to the CATALISE recommendations. Conclusion Both specific language impairment and DLD refer to a neurodevelopmental condition that impairs spoken language, is long-standing and, is not associated with any known causal condition. The applications of the terms specific language impairment and DLD differ in breadth and the extent to which identification depends upon functional impact. Use of the term DLD would link advocacy efforts in the United States to those in other English-speaking countries. The criteria for identifying DLD presented in the CATALISE consensus offer opportunities for scientific progress while aligning well with practice in U.S. public schools.

Do Children Classified With Specific Language Impairment Have a Learning Disability in Writing? A Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 292-310
Author(s):  
Steve Graham ◽  
Michael Hebert ◽  
Evan Fishman ◽  
Amber B. Ray ◽  
Amy Gillespie Rouse
Keyword(s):  
Language Impairment ◽  
Specific Language Impairment ◽  
Language Disorder ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Response Format ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Writing Quality ◽  
Specific Language ◽  
Moderator Analysis ◽  
Writing Scores

In this meta-analysis, we examined whether children classified with specific language impairment (SLI) experience difficulties with writing. We included studies comparing children with SLI to (a) typically developing peers matched on age ( k = 39 studies) and (b) typically developing younger peers with similar language capabilities ( k = six studies). Children classified with SLI scored lower on writing measures than their typically developing peers matched on age ( g = −0.97) when all writing scores in a study were included in the analysis. This same pattern occurred for specific measures of writing: quality ( g = −0.92), output ( g = −1.00), grammar ( g = −0.68), vocabulary ( g = −0.68), and spelling ( g = −1.17). A moderator analysis revealed that differences in the writing scores of children classified with SLI and typically developing peers matched on age were not as large, but were still statistically significant, when assessment involved a contrived response format (vs. measured based on students’ writing), researcher-created measures (vs. norm-referenced tests), or SLI included just children with a speech disorder (vs. children with a language disorder). Children classified with SLI further scored lower on writing than typically developing peers with similar language capabilities ( g = −0.47). We concluded that children with SLI experience difficulties with writing.

The Specific Language Impairment/Developmental Language Disorders Forum: Fostering a Discussion of Terminology

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Green
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Public School ◽  
Language Impairment ◽  
Specific Language Impairment ◽  
Language Disorder ◽  
Language Disorders ◽  
Developmental Language Disorder ◽  
Language Deficits ◽  
Developmental Language Disorders ◽  
Specific Language

Purpose This prologue provides an introduction to the SIG 1 Perspectives forum addressing use of a more recently applied term, developmental language disorder (DLD), as well as a term that has been used in research for several decades, specific language impairment (SLI), to describe children who exhibit language deficits. Included are brief summaries of the 5 articles that comprise the forum. Conclusion The articles in this SLI/DLD forum offer perspectives on the use of both terms. Implications include their application in clinical practice, advocacy, research, treatment, funding, and public school speech/language services.

scholarly journals Promoting Reading Achievement in Children With Developmental Language Disorders: What Can We Learn From Research on Specific Language Impairment and Dyslexia?

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (10) ◽  
pp. 3277-3292
Author(s):  
Suzanne M. Adlof
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Language Impairment ◽  
Specific Language Impairment ◽  
Language Disorder ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Specific Language ◽  
School Identification ◽  
Potential Benefits

Purpose Specific language impairment (SLI; see also developmental language disorder) and dyslexia are separate, yet frequently co-occurring disorders that confer risks to reading comprehension and academic achievement. Until recently, most studies of one disorder had little consideration of the other, and each disorder was addressed by different practitioners. However, understanding how the two disorders relate to each other is important for advancing theories about each disorder and improving reading comprehension and academic achievement. The purpose of this clinical focus article is to integrate research on SLI and dyslexia as well as advocate for the consideration of comorbidities in future research and clinical practice. Method The first section reviews definitions as well as inclusionary and exclusionary criteria for SLI and dyslexia. The second section reviews research demonstrating that SLI and dyslexia are different disorders that often co-occur. Studies examining language, working memory, and academic achievement in children with separate versus co-occurring SLI and dyslexia are reviewed. The final section compares and contrasts school identification frameworks for children with SLI and dyslexia and considers the potential benefits of incorporating broad language skills into response to intervention (RTI) assessment frameworks. Conclusions Children with weak language skills are at a high risk of experiencing reading problems, but language difficulties are often hidden from view. Directly addressing language skills within school RTI frameworks can help improve the identification and treatment of children with SLI and dyslexia as well as support improved reading comprehension and academic achievement for all students. Presentation Video https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.13063793

Social Skills of Children With Specific Language Impairment

1993 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 206-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holly K. Craig
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Social Skills ◽  
Peer Relationships ◽  
Language Impairment ◽  
Specific Language Impairment ◽  
Clinical Case ◽  
Social Problems ◽  
Specific Language ◽  
The Social

Children with specific language impairment are at risk for social problems. This article discusses the available literature pertinent to understanding their peer relationships. In addition, a clinical case is provided to illustrate some of the social-interactional difficulties described.

Social Skills of Children With Specific Language Impairment

1996 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Fujiki ◽  
Bonnie Brinton ◽  
Cindy M. Todd
Keyword(s):  
Social Skills ◽  
Peer Relationships ◽  
Language Impairment ◽  
Specific Language Impairment ◽  
Social Skill ◽  
General Measure ◽  
Specific Language ◽  
Social Skills Rating System ◽  
The Social

The social skills of 19 elementary school children with specific language impairment (SLI) and 19 chronological age-matched peers were examined. Children in both groups were selected from those children between the ages of 8 and 12 years. Each child with SLI was individually matched to a classmate of the same age. First, the Social Skills Rating System-Teacher Form (Gresham & Elliott, 1990) was administered to provide a general measure of social skill. Following this measure, the quantity of peer relationships was assessed in both groups using an informal picture task. This measure provided an indication of the peers with whom each child interacted while taking part in a variety of activities. The quality of peer relationships was then assessed using the Williams and Asher Loneliness Questionnaire (Williams & Asher, 1992). It was found that children with SLI differed from their peers on all three measures. These results suggested that the children with SLI had poorer social skills and fewer peer relationships, and were less satisfied with the peer relationships in which they participated when compared with their age-matched classmates.

A System for the Diagnosis of Specific Language Impairment in Kindergarten Children

1996 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 1284-1294 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Bruce Tomblin ◽  
Nancy L. Records ◽  
Xuyang Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Language Impairment ◽  
Specific Language Impairment ◽  
Language Disorder ◽  
Diagnostic System ◽  
Kindergarten Children ◽  
Epidemiologic Research ◽  
Specific Language ◽  
Clinician Rating ◽  
Composite Scores ◽  
Specific Language Disorder

A valid and reliable diagnostic standard for language impairment is required for the conduct of epidemiologic research on specific language disorder. A rationale is provided for such a diagnostic system labeled the EpiSLI system. This system employed five composite scores representing norm-referenced performance in three domains of language (vocabulary, grammar, and narration) and two modalities (comprehension and production). Children who have two or more composite scores below –1.25 standard deviations were considered as children with language disorder. The performance of the EpiSLI diagnostic system was examined on a sample of 1,502 kindergarten children and it was shown that this diagnostic system yielded results that were consistent with clinician rating and previous research results.

scholarly journals Destrezas motoras y marcadores Genéticos en niños con Trastorno Específico del lenguaje y desarrollo típico del lenguaje (Motor skills and genetic markers in children with specific language impairment and typical language development)

Retos ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 235-241
Author(s):  
Patricio Avendaño Medina ◽  
Claudio Hernández-Mosqueira ◽  
Sandro Fernandes Da Silva ◽  
Sebastian Peña Troncoso ◽  
Gustavo Pavez-Adasme ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Language Development ◽  
Genetic Markers ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
Language Impairment ◽  
Specific Language Impairment ◽  
Language Disorder ◽  
Learning And Development ◽  
Specific Language ◽  
T Score ◽  
Mixed Language

El objetivo del estudio fue analizar las características Dermatoglíficas y Motoras en niños con trastorno específico del lenguaje mixto (TEL-m) y desarrollo típico del lenguaje (DTL). El diseño de investigación fue no experimental de carácter descriptivo, comparativo y transversal. La muestra estuvo conformada por 60 niños de 5 a 6 años 11 meses. Se utilizó el Test de aprendizaje y desarrollo infantil (TADI) y el protocolo de Cummings y Midlo (1961) para evaluar las características dermatoglíficas. Los resultados indican que los niños con TEL-m obtuvieron un puntaje T de 44.8 y los niños con DTL un puntaje T de 58.8 puntos y que el diseño más frecuente fue Presilha (L) 64% en niños con TEL-m y 66% en niños con DTL. Además, se observan diferencias significativas p<.00 en motricidad, pero sin observar diferencias significativas en las variables Dermatoglíficas. Dado esto se acepta que sólo existen diferencias significativas en el área de motricidad para p<.05 en niños con TEL-m y DTL. Abstract. The objective of the study was to analyze the Dermatoglyphic and Motor characteristics in children with specific mixed language disorder (TEL-m) and typical language development (DTL). The research design was non-experimental descriptive, comparative and transversal. The sample consisted of 60 children aged 5 to 6 years and 11 months old. The Childhood Learning and Development Test (TADI) and the Cummings and Midlo Protocol (1961) were used to evaluate the dermatoglyphic characteristics. The results indicate that children with TEL-m obtained a T-score of 44.8 and children with DTL a T-score of 58.8 points and that the most frequent design was Presilha (L) 64% in children with TEL-m and 66% in children with DTL. In addition, significant differences are observed (p <.00) in motor skills, yet they were not significant in the Dermatoglyphic variables. For the above, we may accept that significant differences with p set at 0.5 were only evident in the motor area in children with TEL-m and DTL.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document