Developmental Aphasia: A Speculative View With Therapeutic Implications

Abstract

The behavior of the aphasic child is characterized by perceptual dysfunction in various sensory modalities, auditory inefficiency greater than that expected from the audiogram, and intellectual inefficiency greater than that "objectively" assessed. Such a child shows severe retardation for the reception and production of language. In other behavioral areas he manifests perseveration, inconsistency of response, emotional lability and, frequently, general hyperactivity. Operant conditioning is an avenue of therapy.