Specific language impairment (SLI)

Studies focus on underlying difficulties as well as overlaps with other disorders. Some researchers are working on the relationship between memory deficits and language abilities. Investigators are also examining commonalities and distinctiveness between SLI, autism spectrum disorders, and reading difficulties.

Researchers are also particularly interested in how children with SLI develop, the challenges they face, and their educational, social and emotional outcomes in childhood, adolescence and early adulthood.

We investigate the causes and associated difficulties of specific language impairment (SLI) and have the largest longitudinal study of language disorders from childhood to early adulthood.

Principal investigators

Name	Job title	Email address
Kamila Polišenská	Lecturer	kamila.polisenska@manchester.ac.uk
Gina Conti-Ramsden	Professor of Child Language and Learning	gina.conti-ramsden@manchester.ac.uk
Jenny Freed	Lecturer in Language Disorders	Jenny.freed@manchester.ac.uk
Anne Hesketh	Clinical Senior Lecturer in Speech and Language Therapy	anne.hesketh@manchester.ac.uk
Elaine Lockton	Clinical Lecturer in Speech and Language Therapy	elaine.lockton@manchester.ac.uk