What are traits of a child with specific language impairment (SLI)?

Children with specific language impairment (SLI) present with delayed language skills that are not attributable to cognitive impairment. This means that while their language skills are significantly below the expected level for their age, their overall cognitive abilities are typically within the average range. SLI primarily affects a child's ability to acquire language, including aspects such as grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure, while their intellectual development remains intact.

In contrast, advanced vocabulary and grammar skills would not be characteristic of SLI, as these skills are typically underdeveloped in affected children. Heightened social communication abilities could also misrepresent the profile of children with SLI, as social communication may be particularly challenging for them due to their language deficits. Lastly, a high level of verbal intelligence would negate the diagnosis of SLI, as this condition inherently involves specific difficulties in language that do not align with high verbal cognitive functioning.