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Developmental Language Disorder: A Consequence of Exemplar-Based Learning?

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Title: Developmental Language Disorder: A Consequence of Exemplar-Based Learning?
Language: English
Authors: Nick Riches (ORCID 0000-0002-1867-3014)
Source: First Language. 2026 46(3):495-515.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 21
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Descriptive
Descriptors: Developmental Disabilities, Language Impairments, Brain, Cognitive Style, Language Acquisition, Reference Groups, Morphemes, Syntax, Sentence Structure
DOI: 10.1177/01427237251371762
ISSN: 0142-7237
1740-2344
Abstract: Children with developmental language disorder (DLD) present with unexplained difficulties with both expressive and receptive language. A key conundrum is why their prognoses are often poorer than children with evidenced brain lesions. How can children with early focal lesions acquire language so well compared with children with DLD who do not present with gross neurological abnormalities? A possibility raised by Dell and Chang in 2013 is that learning in DLD is fundamentally derailed by an exemplar-based learning style. Such a process has been robustly demonstrated in studies of artificial neural networks. This theoretical article discusses exemplar theory, the role exemplars may play in language development, and surveys evidence suggesting an exemplar-based learning style in DLD. It concludes that this provides a plausible new approach to both explaining the condition and designing new therapies.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1507540
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Developmental Language Disorder: A Consequence of Exemplar-Based Learning?
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Nick+Riches%22">Nick Riches</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1867-3014">0000-0002-1867-3014</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22First+Language%22"><i>First Language</i></searchLink>. 2026 46(3):495-515.
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  Data: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Descriptive
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Developmental+Disabilities%22">Developmental Disabilities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Language+Impairments%22">Language Impairments</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Brain%22">Brain</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cognitive+Style%22">Cognitive Style</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Language+Acquisition%22">Language Acquisition</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reference+Groups%22">Reference Groups</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Morphemes%22">Morphemes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Syntax%22">Syntax</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sentence+Structure%22">Sentence Structure</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1177/01427237251371762
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  Data: 0142-7237<br />1740-2344
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Children with developmental language disorder (DLD) present with unexplained difficulties with both expressive and receptive language. A key conundrum is why their prognoses are often poorer than children with evidenced brain lesions. How can children with early focal lesions acquire language so well compared with children with DLD who do not present with gross neurological abnormalities? A possibility raised by Dell and Chang in 2013 is that learning in DLD is fundamentally derailed by an exemplar-based learning style. Such a process has been robustly demonstrated in studies of artificial neural networks. This theoretical article discusses exemplar theory, the role exemplars may play in language development, and surveys evidence suggesting an exemplar-based learning style in DLD. It concludes that this provides a plausible new approach to both explaining the condition and designing new therapies.
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  Data: 2026
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