[Differential development of 2 children with developmental dysphasia]

The development of two boys with the diagnosis of specific language impairment each of whom spoke only five words at the age of three is described through the third grade (regular school). In spite of similarities in nonverbal abilities and in conditions of therapy and general care the two children developed quite differently. One achieved an average language level by about age five, whereas the other seemed to stagnate from about this age on even though he made good progress in other areas. The author discusses the role of auditory perception, learning strategies, memory and behavior in the latter child's development.