Models of Language & Learning Disabilities Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards conceptualizing the six framework models of language and learning disabilities, including their core definitions, examples, and intervention focuses.

Etiological Model (Medical Model)

A framework that views language and learning disorders as attributes of the individual caused by a specific underlying biological or genetic medical condition, with diagnosis focusing on finding the root cause.

Categorical Model

A framework that organizes disorders into distinct, bounded diagnostic categories based on specific behavioral criteria, assuming clear boundaries between diagnostic categories and typical variations.

Specific Disabilities Model

A model that views language disorders as a byproduct of deficits in specific within-child cognitive or sensory processing capabilities, such as memory or auditory processing.

Cognitive Model

A model attributing language issues to broader constraints in computational architecture, information processing mechanics, or general intellectual development.

Mismatch Model

A framework where disabilities are viewed as occurring in the interspace or friction point between a child's current communication profile and environmental or academic demands, rather than solely inside the child.

Descriptive-Developmental / Communication-Language Approach

An approach that focuses on describing a child's detailed structural language skills (syntax, semantics, pragmatics) and mapping them against normal developmental sequences, regardless of etiology.

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)

A diagnostic category assigned when a school-aged child's language abilities fall significantly below age expectations without an obvious medical cause.

Auditory Temporal Processing Deficit

A specific sensory processing deficit that prevents a student from resolving fast acoustic changes in speech, leading to poor performance on language tasks.

Phonological Short-Term Memory Capacity

A within-child cognitive capability measured by nonword repetition scores, limitations in which can cause marked language impairments.

Limited Capacity Model

An information processing concept where a child fails language comprehension tasks because structural cognitive resources, such as attention and processing speed, are overwhelmed by complex sentences.

Intervention Focus: Etiological Model

Medical management and cure.

Intervention Focus: Categorical Model

Placement and administrative eligibility.

Intervention Focus: Specific Disabilities Model

Targeted cognitive and sensory exercises.

Intervention Focus: Cognitive Model

Adapting structural mental workload.

Intervention Focus: Mismatch Model

Environmental modifications and supports.

Intervention Focus: Descriptive-Developmental Approach

Targeting the next developmental milestone.