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.