Abstract
This chapter focuses on specific language impairment and developmental dyslexia from a converging methodological/ developmental perspective under the rhetoric of language learning impairment (LLI). It proposes a multilevel approach, which aims to integrate molecular, cellular, macroscopic, and behavioral evidence. Current etiological models from psychological and biological domains are addressed. The chapter then talks about prospective studies beginning early in the life span and studies targeting remedial intervention. It then provides recommendations and future directions regarding basic research as well as remedial work in developmental language disorders. The chapter highlights that future studies need to address issues emanating from different subtypes of LLI, different modalities, different training methods, different tasks tapping various aspects of language/ literacy skills, and also whether the resulting neural plasticity is a transient or permanent phenomenon. It further points out that the impact of developmental disorders of language on society is substantive.