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Language Disorders

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The Massachusetts General Hospital Guide to Learning Disabilities

Part of the book series: Current Clinical Psychiatry ((CCPSY))

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Abstract

Language is a vital aspect of human functioning. Impairments in this ability are prevalent in children and adolescents, confer risk for formal communication disorders, and are highly comorbid with other socio-emotional or behavioral vulnerabilities. Considerations of language functioning in young patients are essential for psychiatrists and related professionals in their case conceptualizations and, importantly, to refer patients for further specialized language evaluations when indicated. These evaluations can be imperative for designing quality treatment plans and assisting with educational programming. To support pediatric psychiatrists and related professionals, this chapter provides an overview of the current state of the research on two of the five primary communication disorders (language disorder and social [pragmatic] communication disorder). We also provide a discussion of the early signs and symptoms of these conditions as well as associated impacts on learning. Additionally, this chapter offers a review of “best practices” in assessment, details common comorbid conditions, presents a case example, and reviews “best practices” for both school- and home-based interventions.

Without language, one cannot talk to people and understand them; one cannot share their hopes and aspirations, grasp their history, appreciate their poetry, or savor their songs.

—Mandela, N.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Drew C. Coman

  2. University of New Hampshire, Manchester, NH, USA

    Nicholas D. Mian

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  1. Drew C. Coman
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Correspondence to Drew C. Coman .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    H. Kent Wilson

  2. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Ellen B. Braaten

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Coman, D.C., Mian, N.D. (2019). Language Disorders. In: Wilson, H., Braaten, E. (eds) The Massachusetts General Hospital Guide to Learning Disabilities. Current Clinical Psychiatry. Humana Press, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98643-2_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98643-2_5

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