Understanding childhood language disorders

Developmental language disorders exist in 5% to 10% of preschoolers and have strong genetic implications. There are several variants of dysphasia: mixed receptive/expressive, expressive, or higher order language processing. Preschool children with pervasive developmental disorders are dysphasic as well as autistic. Some undergo a language and behavioral regression, most often as toddlers. The role of subclinical epilepsy in this regression is unknown because it is often ignored. Most dysphasic children speak by schoolage but are at substantial risk for reading/academic difficulty. Powerful new techniques to image the brain during language have no place in the routine workshop of children with dysphasia with or without autism.