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Background: Specific language impairment (SLI) is diagnosed when a child shows isolated structural language problems. The diagnosis of pragmatic language impairment (PLI) is given to children who show difficulties with the use of language in context. Unlike children with SLI, these children tend to show relatively intact structural language skills while they do exhibit clear communicative deficits. There is hardly any research on the relationship between pragmatic competence and behavioural problems. Existing research suggests a strong relationship, but has only been executed on clinical SLI samples. Moreover, it is not known whether pragmatic language problems are related to specific types of behavioural problems.

Aims: This study aims to clarify the incidence and nature of behavioural problems in children with PLI using a prognostic design in mainstream education. This design should provide valuable …