Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) and the crucial role of speech and language therapy

Up to two children in every classroom of 30 will have developmental language disorder yet it is probably one of the most common childhood conditions that is never heard of. 

Tracey Corbett, highly specialist speech and language therapist from the Trust, explains more about DLD and the crucial role speech and language therapy plays in diagnosing and managing the condition.

This year’s campaign, DLD – You and Me, by international organisation Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder (RADLD), aims to bring together families, teachers, speech language pathologists and other professionals to help people understand their personal experience with DLD. Many people know about ADHD and autism but what about developmental language disorder.

What is DLD?

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) refers to difficulties with understanding and /or using spoken language. DLD has no single known cause and is likely a result of a number of biological, genetic and environmental risk factors. The complexity of DLD means that it can have a serious and long-term impact on development.

People with DLD can have difficulties with:

• listening, attention, memory and language processing
• following instructions, understanding questions and narrative
• understanding and using vocabulary
• expressing what they want to say, including difficulties with word finding, grammar and sequencing their thoughts
• social interaction, including having difficulties joining in conversations, understanding jokes, and non-literal language
• using language to express their thoughts and feelings and to regulate their behaviour and their interactions with other people.

Individuals with DLD are also at risk of difficulties with reading and writing. They may also have difficulties with producing speech sounds, although not always.

DLD may be diagnosed if a child’s language difficulties are likely to persist throughout childhood and into adolescence and adulthood.

How common is DLD?

Two children in every class of thirty, or 7.58% of children start school with DLD.

A further 2.34% of children start school with a language disorder associated with another condition such as autism, brain injury, Down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy, hearing impairment or learning disability.

The potential impact of developmental language disorder

The impact of DLD can be mitigated if people with DLD have their needs identified and are appropriately supported. Without support they may experience challenges with mental health and wellbeing, relationships, personal development, education, employment and quality of life.

The role of speech and language therapy

Speech and language therapists have a crucial role to play in the assessment and management of children with DLD.

This may include:

• Assessment and identification of an individual child’s difficulties and the impact of these
• Devising and delivering programmes of support
• Supporting others to deliver individual programmes for children. This includes ensuring that they are appropriately trained and supported to do so
• Supporting children with DLD, their families and those who work with them to understand their difficulties and strategies to support themselves
• Supporting schools to integrate strategies into the curriculum to foster children’s language learning and use
• Maximising communication potential by skilling others in the use of facilitative strategies and, where needed, augmentative communication aids, such as communication books 

The Trust's Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Service are committed to supporting children with a range of needs, including those with DLD. They work in a variety of settings including clinics, schools and in some cases children’s homes. We work to support others to implement appropriate activities and strategies to develop children’s speech and language skills to their maximum potential and to reduce the impact of their difficulties on communication and access to education and social activities.

For more information visit on our Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Service visit www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/speech-and-language-therapy-children

Follow #devlangdis on twitter

Other useful information:

www.radld.org

DLD 123 film