This article describes the language abilities of 20 boys aged 10 to 13 1/2 years who were admitted to residential treatment because of their significant and persistent antisocial behavior. Primary DSM-III-R diagnoses included oppositional/defiant disorder and conduct disorder. Of these boys, 80% carried the additional diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The majority of subjects were found to have significant language impairments that had not been identified when they entered residential treatment. Implications of the present findings for assessment and treatment are outlined.
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