Specific language impairment: effect on later language development: a literature review.

BACKGROUND: Children with specific language impairment (SLI) are at considerable risk for later language development. However there has not been a good literature review to provide understanding and to get information relative to parental counseling and decision making for further management. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the literature review on SLI and effect on later language development. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Longitudinal studies were systematically explored to seek evidence- based information to confirm the lasting effect of SLI in later language development. RESULTS: Natural history data indicated that approximately 50% of children with specific expressive language delay spontaneously remitted or outgrew it at age 5-8. However, long-term follow-up studies showed their language problems emerged later at age 15. The rest of the children's (50%), language impairment persisted and had a high risk for SLI later. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that active intervention should be performed as soon as possible for children with persisting SLI.