Understanding Developmental Language Disorder

Research indicates that many children who struggle with learning or communication may have an undiagnosed condition known as Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). Imagine the challenge of forming friendships, mastering academic subjects, or navigating social situations if understanding and using language were a persistent obstacle. This is the reality for approximately two students in every class of 30 who live with DLD.

What is Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)?

DLD impacts a child’s ability to express themselves and understand others. Some children primarily struggle with speaking (expressive language), while others have difficulty understanding what is being said (receptive language).

Children with DLD may face challenges in several key areas of language, including:

• Phonology (recognising and producing speech sounds)
• Semantics (understanding and using vocabulary effectively),
• Syntax (constructing and structuring sentences properly)
• Word-finding abilities (recalling and using the correct words when needed)
• Pragmatics (the social use of language in conversation)
• Verbal learning and memory (retaining and recalling spoken information)
• Morphology (understanding and using grammatical structures like prefixes, suffixes, and tenses)

Early intervention, including speech and language therapy, can be vital. With support from a speech and language therapist (SLT), children with DLD can learn strategies to improve their language development and reduce the impact of their difficulties in everyday life. However, DLD is frequently undiagnosed, making awareness crucial for improving outcomes for these children.

A Child’s Perspective

A poem written by Ellen, a child living with DLD:

"A funny thing happens when I get to my school, an invisibility cloak is my educational tool. Most people forget me as if it's a rule, but I have eyes and ears, so they are the fool!"

"A funny thing happens during my time in school, people speak about me, instead of to me which is cruel. Work is forgotten and homework’s not marked but I've still eyes and ears, so this makes me narked!"

"A funny thing happens to me in my school as I am often treated as though I'm the fool. The bar is set low and there are lots of mistakes, yet no one says sorry, which causes me heartache."

"A funny thing could happen to me in my school—that the adults there could actually follow the rules, allow me to mix and dream big for my future. After all, it's meant to be an all-inclusive culture."

The powerful poem written by Ellen, a child living with DLD, captures the frustration and isolation that many children with DLD experience in school. They are often overlooked, spoken about rather than spoken to, and subjected to low expectations, common occurrences for children with DLD. Although these children are fully aware of the world around them, they often feel excluded and underestimated.

Darcy's story offers further insight into how a child with DLD may feel in school: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38ur_bxJJG4

RADLD and DLD Day

Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder (RADLD) is an organisation dedicated to educating others about DLD. Each year, they host DLD Day, a global event aimed at raising awareness and ensuring that children like Ellen are not invisible in schools. This year, DLD Day falls on Friday 18th October, and the theme is ‘Speak Up for DLD.’

What will your school be doing to Speak Up for DLD?

Raising awareness for DLD Day can be as simple as putting up a poster in your school, organising staff training on DLD, or sharing resources. At PLP, we’ve raised our own awareness by welcoming the DLD mouse for a visit, check out our PLP X account to follow his journey in spreading awareness. This year on DLD Day, we’ll be wearing something purple to show our support. On the evening of Friday 18th October, keep an eye out for a well-known Plymouth landmark turning purple. If you spot it, take a picture and share it with us on our X page.

By raising awareness and supporting children with DLD, we can help break down the barriers they face, giving them the opportunity to thrive. Let’s ensure children with DLD, like Ellen, are seen, heard, and valued.

‍