Specific Language Impairment

A neurodevelopmental condition characterised by significant difficulties in acquiring and using language that cannot be attributed to hearing loss, intellectual disability, neurological damage, or environmental deprivation. Children with specific language impairment may have difficulties with grammar, vocabulary, discourse, or a combination of language domains, despite having otherwise typical cognitive development. SLI affects approximately 7% of children and is associated with later academic difficulties, particularly in reading and literacy. The condition is now more commonly referred to as Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) following international consensus in 2017, though SLI remains widely used in research literature. Early identification and intervention can significantly improve language outcomes.