Download PDF
Semin Speech Lang 1998; 19(1): 7-14
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1064030
© 1998 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Late Talker or SLI?: The Story of Jay X

Chris Dollaghan
  • Department of Communication Science and Disorders, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
15 May 2008 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

ABSTRACT

Distinguishing between children who will “catch up” after delays in early language development (late talkers), and children whose early delays are a harbinger of the condition known as specific language impairment (SLI), remains one of the biggest mysteries facing speech-language pathologists who work with young children. The case of Jay X, a preschool child with a history of delayed language acquisition, illustrates the process by which the crucial pieces of clinical information are accumulated and interpreted to make this determination.

KEY WORDS

specific language impairment - preschool language disorder - late talker