title: Ten questions about terminology for children with unexplained language problems.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In domains other than language, there is fairly consistent diagnostic terminology to refer to children's developmental difficulties. For instance, the terms 'dyslexia', 'attention deficit hyperactivity disorder' and 'autistic spectrum disorder' are used for difficulties with reading, attention or social cognition, respectively. There is no agreed label, however, for children with unexplained language problems.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To consider whether we need labels for unexplained language problems in children, and if so, what terminology is appropriate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There are both advantages and disadvantages to labels, but they are important to ensure children receive services, and to increase our knowledge of the nature and causes of such problems. A survey of labels in current use found 132 different terms, 33 of which had 600 or more returns on Google Scholar between 1994 and 2013. Many of these labels were too general to be useful. Of the remainder, the term 'specific language impairment' was the most commonly used.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current mayhem in diagnostic labels is unsustainable; it causes confusion and impedes research progress and access to appropriate services. We need to achieve consensus on diagnostic criteria and terminology. The DSM-5 term 'language disorder' is problematic because it identifies too wide a range of conditions on an internet search. One solution is to retain specific language impairment, with the understanding that 'specific' means idiopathic (i.e., of unknown origin) rather than implying there are no other problems beyond language. Other options are the terms 'primary language impairment', 'developmental language disorder' or 'language learning impairment'.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: D V M
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Bishop
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D007808:Language Therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D009626:Terminology as Topic
keywords: DSM-5; diagnosis; labels; specific language impairment; terminology