ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the linguistic profiles of children with diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders (ND) that have marked cognitive sequelae, with emphasis on grammatical features. There is general consensus that the hallmark of language impairment in children with ND is delay in the onset of language and a generally slowed down developmental pace. Delay is typically seen in children who are later diagnosed as having SLI as well. The notion of a linguistic profile, as used in this chapter, excludes considerations of delay. Rather, the studies reported here focus on course of acquisition, typical errors, and acquisitional milestones, assuming that delay as well as a slowed down acquisitional pace will most probably be present in all or almost all the children studied. To use a traditional phrase, this chapter investigates the existence of deviance, accepting delay as characteristic of these populations.
