By adolescence, students with language impairments may no longer exhibit the vocabulary and morpho-syntax deficits classically associated with language impairments, but this does not mean they have “outgrown” their language difficulties. They are highly likely to exhibit deficits with complex discourse that cannot be assessed with standardized tests. Typically developing adolescents use their language to generate coherent life stories which promote their sense of identity, sense of well-being, and ability to self-regulate. This presentation will describe a framework for evaluating the coherence of life stories produced by adolescents with language impairments.
