Abstract

Acquired Childhood Aphasia (ACA) is a condition associated with sudden onset of language disturbances. This language disturbances fare as a consequences of cerebral resulting in regression of previously acquired skills. This makes the condition markedly different from developmental language disorders (DLD). The latter is associated with a delay in acquiring speech milestones, ACA arises post-acquisition of early language skills. ACA is often associated with a specific cause such as brain tumours, traumatic brain injuries, infections, unlike the developmental language disorders which may sometimes be associated with a definite cause and sometimes associated with a condition of idiopathic origin. Symptoms may be similar in both the conditions after a particular point of time. This can lead to more confusions and complications in diagnosis. As the assessment methods for ACA differ fundamentally from those for DLD, as the focus in ACA would be on evaluating lost language functions while the focus is on quantifying and eliciting details about the delay in DLD. The comorbid conditions are also given weightage in both these conditions Intervention typically involves is based on the conditions, traits and comorbid conditions in these two conditions. The prognosis of the two conditions are may vary. Considering all these factors, the current paper differentiates acquired childhood aphasia with that of developmental language disorders.