Laurence B Leonard1. 1. Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, 500 Oval Drive, Heavilon Hall, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA. xdxl@purdue.edu
Abstract
PURPOSE: To propose that the diagnostic category of "expressive language disorder" as distinct from a disorder of both expressive and receptive language might not be accurate. METHOD: Evidence that casts doubt on a pure form of this disorder is reviewed from several sources, including the literature on genetic findings, theories of language impairments, and the outcomes of late talkers with expressive language delays. Areas of language that are problematic in production but not readily amenable to comprehension testing are also discussed. CONCLUSIONS: The notion of expressive language disorder has been formalized in classification systems and is implicit if not explicit in the organization of many standardized tests. However, a close inspection of the evidence suggests that deficits in language expression are typically accompanied by limitations in language knowledge or difficulties processing language input. For this reason, the diagnostic category of expressive language disorder should be used with considerable caution. This view has implications for both research and clinical practice.
PURPOSE: To propose that the diagnostic category of "expressive language disorder" as distinct from a disorder of both expressive and receptive language might not be accurate. METHOD: Evidence that casts doubt on a pure form of this disorder is reviewed from several sources, including the literature on genetic findings, theories of language impairments, and the outcomes of late talkers with expressive language delays. Areas of language that are problematic in production but not readily amenable to comprehension testing are also discussed. CONCLUSIONS: The notion of expressive language disorder has been formalized in classification systems and is implicit if not explicit in the organization of many standardized tests. However, a close inspection of the evidence suggests that deficits in language expression are typically accompanied by limitations in language knowledge or difficulties processing language input. For this reason, the diagnostic category of expressive language disorder should be used with considerable caution. This view has implications for both research and clinical practice.
Authors: Talita Fortunato-Tavares; Claudia R F Andrade; Debora Befi-Lopes; Suelly O Limongi; Fernanda D M Fernandes; Richard G Schwartz Journal: Clin Linguist Phon Date: 2015-04-22 Impact factor: 1.346
Authors: Shelley Gray; Hope Lancaster; Mary Alt; Tiffany P Hogan; Samuel Green; Roy Levy; Nelson Cowan Journal: J Speech Lang Hear Res Date: 2020-04-28 Impact factor: 2.297
Authors: Alessandra Sansavini; Maria Elena Favilla; Maria Teresa Guasti; Andrea Marini; Stefania Millepiedi; Maria Valeria Di Martino; Simona Vecchi; Nadia Battajon; Laura Bertolo; Olga Capirci; Barbara Carretti; Maria Paola Colatei; Cristina Frioni; Luigi Marotta; Sara Massa; Letizia Michelazzo; Chiara Pecini; Silvia Piazzalunga; Manuela Pieretti; Pasquale Rinaldi; Renata Salvadorini; Cristiano Termine; Mariagrazia Zuccarini; Simonetta D'Amico; Anna Giulia De Cagno; Maria Chiara Levorato; Tiziana Rossetto; Maria Luisa Lorusso Journal: Brain Sci Date: 2021-05-17