A developmental disorder characterized by delayed or impaired language acquisition in children who otherwise demonstrate normal cognitive development and no hearing, neurological, or emotional impairments.

Specific Language Impairment (SLI)

Specific Language Impairment (SLI), also known as Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), is a significant language development condition affecting approximately 7% of children during their early developmental years.

Core Characteristics

Children with SLI typically display:

Delayed onset of first words and phrases
Difficulty with grammar acquisition
Problems with morphological processing
Challenges in phonological awareness
Normal non-verbal intelligence
Preserved social interest and desire to communicate

Diagnostic Criteria

Diagnosis of SLI requires:

Language abilities substantially below age expectations
Normal hearing abilities
No significant neurological conditions
Typical cognitive development
Absence of autism spectrum disorders

Language Domains Affected

Morphosyntax

Difficulty with grammatical morphemes
Challenges with verb tense marking
Problems with complex sentence structures
syntactic processing deficits

Lexical-Semantic Processing

Slower vocabulary acquisition
Word-finding difficulties
Reduced semantic network complexity
Challenges with working memory for verbal information

Neural Basis

Research suggests SLI involves:

Atypical development of language areas in the brain
Differences in temporal processing
Altered connectivity patterns in language networks
Genetic factors affecting neuroplasticity

Intervention Approaches

Evidence-Based Treatments

speech therapy
Language-focused educational support
phonological intervention
Social communication practice
metacognitive strategies

Support Strategies

Structured language environments
Visual supports and cues
Repetition and practice
Parent-mediated intervention
assistive technology tools

Impact and Outcomes

SLI can significantly affect:

Academic achievement
Social relationships
literacy development
Career opportunities
self-esteem

Research Directions

Current research focuses on:

Genetic markers for SLI
Neural signatures of language impairment
Early identification methods
intervention effectiveness
Relationship to other developmental disorders

Long-term Trajectory

Understanding of long-term outcomes includes:

Persistent language challenges
Compensatory strategy development
Variable academic achievement
Impact on social communication
Potential for positive outcomes with early intervention

This condition requires ongoing monitoring and support throughout development, with individualized intervention approaches based on specific linguistic profiles and needs.