Information

What you need to know about SLI (Specific Language Impairment)

Here are some information that we consider the most important to be aware of if you know or suspect that a child has SLI.

We have collated information from over 40 years of research studies and from over 20 years' speech language therapy experience working with thousands of children and parents.

We hope the information helps you to clarify doubts and to seek professional help if needed.


What is Specific Language Impairment (SLI)?

1. A child with SLI is usually as bright and healthy as other children in all ways, except that s/he has enormous difficulty in expressing himself and/or in understanding language

2. The child has difficulty using or understanding language not because it is a foreign or second language, or because of other problems such as hearing impairment, brain injury, low IQ or Autistic Spectrum Disorders, but specifically due to SLI. Hence the name, Specific Language Impairment.

3. It is crucial to understand that a child with SLI has a real language disorder, and is not just slow (Just as a child with asthma has a real medical problem, and is not just out of breath, or less fit).
In fact, it is one of the most common language disorders. SLI occurs in about 7% of children (In comparison, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects about 1%).


What are some signs of SLI I should look out for?

1. Your child experiences a hard time expressing himself in sentences, using incomplete sentences or strings of individual words instead.

2. She has limited vocabulary and frequently uses general words such as 'this one' instead of specific words. She also has difficulty understanding word meanings.

3. She has noticeable difficulties in learning grammar e.g. using the correct prepositions 'In', 'to', 'for' etc


What causes SLI?

- There is no obvious cause of SLI, although it is known that the speech and language part of the brain does not develop in the right way, even though there are no other problems.

- Genes play an important part in causing SLI, with current research focusing on more inherited tendencies.


Why is it important to identify and treat children with SLI?

40 - 75% of children with SLI have problems learning to read.

Children with SLI are all very individual. They may:

1) Have more difficulties with literacy areas such as spelling, using words to form sentences, reading comprehension, phonological awareness, and writing.

2) Are less proficient in their numeracy and mathematical thinking.

3) Are less well-adjusted in approaches to learning - such as being organized, persistent and adaptable, eager to learn, and able to work independently.

4) Will face a greater propensity to behavioural difficulties in class and find it difficult to initiate communication and formulate their responses appropriately


Research studies show that these difficulties in school learning are likely to have long-term impacts on a child's:

1) School career
2) Occupational outcomes and
3) Social interactions and relationships

Early identification and interventions is the key to improving both communication and literacy difficulties. Their needs can be assessed and addressed effectively, in order to provide support as they make the transition from early childhood to formal schooling.

Parent-reported speech and language concern is a useful means of identifying children with SLI in early childhood (age 4-5 years).



Common misconceptions by parents:

- "My child has a normal IQ, therefore he most likely does not have language impairment."
As mentioned above, a child with SLI may not have obvious impairments like hearing loss or low IQ. It can occur in any child.

- "This is just a temporary phase, my child will grow out of it."
SLI does affect a child's academic success, especially if left untreated. Children identified with SLI in early childhood are at risk of subsequent achievement and adjustment difficulties in the early school years.

SLI appears in young children and is known to persist into adulthood. In other words, a child with SLI is unlikely to just 'grow out of it' without any help or intervention.


How can children with SLI be helped?

- Children with SLI do not learn language being spoken to or encouraged, the way a normal child learns.

- They need to be taught and given the right support, so that they can learn and develop to their full potential. Without proper support, a child may suffer from lifelong difficulties.


How can I help if I suspect or have a child with SLI?

Children are internally 'wired' to develop speech and language (Just as your handphone or computer is wired to perform certain processes automatically).

As the UK organisation I Can puts it, children with SLI will not pick up language skills casually the same way as other children. Children with SLI need language to be taught with the right support.

(Of course children with SLI may pick up more language skills with age, just as they will grow taller, heavier, stronger etc, but research studies show that they do not improve enough to catch up to their peers, and usually lag further and further behind as they grow older since the way they learn if also affected.)

If your child has signs of SLI, consult a Speech Language Therapist so that she can do a formal assessment of your child's language skill for his/her age and offer the necessary therapy program.


References:
1. A study of 3632 children in 'an Australian study: Literacy, numeracy, and learning in school-aged children identified as having speech and language impairment in early childhood, 2009' in International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, Oct 2009
2. Robyn Merkel-Piccini, M.A., CCC-SLP, SuperDuper Handy Handouts, 'Specific Language Impairment'
3. Joy Simpson and Mabel L. Rice, Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies, The University of Kansas, 'Top 10 things you should know about children with Specific Language Impairment'.