Language Disorders in Children and Adolescents

Diagnostic criteria of the DSM IV are discussed; alternative definitions and the proposed changes in DSM V and their implications are reviewed. The varied ways the language impaired child with a comorbid disorder comes to the attention of clinicians are described. This book provides the reader with an easy to follow plan on how to conduct the assessment with the child and parents, and the steps to take in initiating treatment - when to begin treatment focused on the language delays or, alternatively, when to focus on the comorbid conditions. The book is filled with many clinical pearls and examples of the way language impairment impacts on the child's symptom picture and influences treatment. Unique to this book are the recommended modifications to empirically validated treatments for language impaired children with comorbid anxiety or disruptive behavior disorders. Anyone who works with children and adolescents will benefit from this book.