Case against diagnosing developmental language disorder by default: A single case study of acquired aphasia associated with convulsive disorder

Abstract

The aim of this article is to inform the diagnostic kwnowledge base for professionals working in the field of language disorders when classic symptoms, characteristics and sequences are not found. The information reveals the risk of diagnosis with a developmental language disorder (DLD) by default when no underlying cause can be readily identified. Diagnostic history was obtained retrospectively from parental interview and contemporary professional reports. Ten years of diagnostic investigations are reported in time-related sequences. Due to variability and inconsistency in his receptive and expressive language skills, the case-study participant (David) was unable to be reliably assessed using standardized tests. Therefore, numerical data and statistical analyses are not reported. The report, however, details the multitude of investigations and opinions obtained before a definitive diagnosis of acquired aphasia associated with convulsive disorder (AACD) was made. David’s history cautions that diagnosing developmental language disorder when no underlying cause for the impairment is recognized may allow underlying disorders and conditions to progress. Clinicians faced with a child whose skill profile is not consistent with a specific diagnosis or expected criteria are thus advised to pursue a definitive diagnosis rather than accept one by default.