This study examined receptive and expressive language as a precursor of maladaptive behavior in African-American, inner-city children. It compared the adaptive and maladaptive behavior scores of 202 children--most from single-parent and low-income families--from District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) at age 12 to their scores on similar measures administered at DCPS preschool and kindergarten programs. Analysis focused on the relationship between language-related data and current level of adaptive or maladaptive functioning. The results indicated that deficits in early receptive language skills, but not expressive language skills, were related to later behavioral difficulties in inner-city children. (MDM)