Behavior Problems and Social Functioning in Adolescents With Language Impairment

Abstract

Adolescents with language impairment (LI) often are underidentified and may be perceived as lazy or noncompliant, rather than as individuals with LI. In this article, the author discusses two possible reasons for this underdiagnosis of LI in adolescents. First, many adolescents with LI present with comorbid behavior problems, which may be the primary concern of parents and school officials. Second, some adolescents with LI perform within age expectations on basic linguistic skills, but difficulties are apparent in higher-level linguistic tasks, including oral and written narrative comprehension and production. Given that adolescents with LI may present with comorbid behavior and academic and social deficits, it is crucial that speech-language pathologists provide identification, direct intervention, consultation with teachers, and leadership in order to facilitate improvement in behavioral, academic, and social functioning. The article provides recommendations for and examples of interventions, which must be administered using contextually relevant activities, and also highlights the importance of collaboration with others in the adolescent’s social and academic settings.