Identification of Adults With Developmental Language Impairments

Purpose: To assess the utility of a wide range of language measures (phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics) for the identification of adults with developmental language impairment. Method: Measures were administered to 3 groups of adults, each representing a population expected to demonstrate high levels of language impairment, and to matched control groups. Results: Three measures were the strongest contributors to identification of language impairment in the 3 groups of adults. These measures, combined, maximized identification of members of the clinical groups as having impaired language (sensitivity) and members of the control groups as having typical language (specificity). Conclusion: This suggests that a relatively brief battery could have utility for identifying developmental language impairment during the adult years.