In this clinical forum, we discuss the implications and directions for future research and practice of adolescent language disorders. Although considerable progress has been made, we need to continue building the evidence base on the most effective and efficient ways of enhancing the spoken and written language skills of young people with language and communication disorders in academic, social, emotional, and vocational domains.

Learning Outcomes
You will be able to:

• discuss the prevalence and stability of behavioral difficulties and self-concepts in teens (8–17) with a history of specific language impairment (SLI)
• discuss whether secondary school students with low academic and language performance are vulnerable to experiencing social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties
• describe how the changes in instructional language practices improved the language abilities of adolescents with language impairment
• describe the forensic implications of language impairment in two overlapping groups of teens
• discuss the post-school educational and employment experiences of young people with and without SLI
• describe the longitudinal life experiences of adults who attended a specialist residential school for children

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