What is Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)

Contents

• Summary of what DLD is
• Links to external websites

Summary of what DLD is

• Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is a life-long condition that can be diagnosed by a Speech and Language Therapist (SALT).
• DLD used to be known as Specific Language Impairment (SLI).
• There is no known single cause for DLD, although it can run in families.
• DLD is more common than autism; however, it is not as widely known.
• DLD affects approximately 7% of children in the UK.
• DLD is hidden and affects approximately 2 children in every classroom, impacting literacy, learning, friendships, and emotional well-being.
• DLD can be missed, misdiagnosed, or misinterpreted as poor behaviour, poor listening, or inattention.
• Left unidentified and unsupported, DLD can reduce access to education, employment, and social interaction.
• DLD affects every individual differently, and there are a wide variety of ways in which language needs to be present and evolve over time.

Children and young people with DLD can have difficulties with

• listening and attention
• memory
• processing language
• following instructions
• understanding questions 
• understanding and using vocabulary
• expressing what they want to say
• social interaction
• using language to regulate their behaviour 
• phonological awareness, reading and writing 

Children and young people with DLD are more likely to experience anxiety and depression than their peers

Links to external websites

• RADLD - Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder
• I CAN
• DLD and Me
• DLD and Me
• NAPLIC
• Engage with Developmental Language Disorder
• The DLD Project
• This Is DLD
• Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Livewell Southwest Speech and Language
• Boys Town Hospital

Continue reading

• Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)
• Entry and exit criteria for child and young people with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)
• Graduated Approach - Speech Language and Communication Needs
• Resources and downloads
• Communication Interaction Team
• SEND Local Offer

Plymouth's Local Offer is organised into four main categories covering the following age ranges:

• Early years (0 to 5 years old)
• Primary (5 to 11 years old)
• Secondary (11 to 18 years old)
• Preparing for adulthood

 Plymouth Local Offer homepage

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