Modelling non-specific linguistic variation in cognitive disorders

Clinical linguistic diversity extends far beyond ‘specific language’ disorders, such as acquired aphasia or specific language impairment (SLI), to a large range of mental disorders that are not language-specific. As cognitive impairments involved in the latter, models with an integrated approach and cognition can be useful for understanding classifying variation question. The aim this paper is specify model, called Bridge which views resting on two partially pre-linguistic pillars: (i) perceptual categorisation (ii) social-communicative interaction. Grammar acting bridge crossing between them mediates lexicalisation categories and, based these, new forms social interaction communication conveying thought structured by grammar. This model allows conceptualise different ways linguistic-cognitive phenotype deviate from its normal course. We illustrate our general instance within autism spectrum disorder (ASD).