Children are not naturally excellent speakers, so this must be considered. Regional, social, or cultural/ethnic variations of language (e.g., dialects) also must be considered.

Michigan State University

A language disorder may have symptoms that overlap with other aliments/conditions such as:
-  Normal variations in language
- Hearing or other sensory impairment
- Intellectual developmental disorder (intellectual disability)
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Neurological disorders
- Language regression

Differential Diagnoses to Language Disorder

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., Text revision). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

DSM-5-TR

Normal Variations in Language as a Differential Diagnosis to Language Disorder

Language deficits may be associated with a hearing impairment,
other sensory deficit, or a speech-motor deficit, but unless these deficits are in excess compared to what is usually associated with these problems, a diagnosis should not be made.

Hearing or Other Sensory Impairment as a Differential Diagnosis to Language Disorder

Language impairment appears often in intellectual developmental disorder. However, language disorder can occur with varying degrees of intellectual ability. 

Intellectual Developmental Disorder (Intellectual Disability) as a Differential Diagnosis to Language Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder frequently manifests with delayed language
development. However, autism spectrum disorder is accompanied by "odd" interpersonal behaviors that are not present in language disorder.

Autism Spectrum Disorder as a Differential Diagnosis to Language Disorder

Language disorder can be acquired in association with neurological disorders (e.g. epilepsy).

Neurological Disorders as Differential Diagnoses to Language Disorder

Loss of speech and language in a child at any age warrants thorough
assessment to determine if there is a specific neurological condition, such as Landau-Kleffner syndrome. Language disorder is a developmental disorder, and there shouldn't be regression present in diagnosis.

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