Characterized by scores on tests measuring expressive language development that are below those on tests of nonverbal intelligence and receptive language. Symptoms may include limited vocabulary, speaking only in the present tense, errors in recalling words, and developmentally inappropriate sentence length.
Failure of a child to learn how to speak, write, or use sign language properly, despite having normal understanding of language and otherwise normal cognitive functions. The impairment in language use is apparent in the child’s abnormal composition of sentences, frequent grammatical errors, limited word choices, and difficulty in learning new vocabulary.