Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)
Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person learns, understands, and uses language. It affects 7.5% of school-aged children and young people.
DLD can occur on its own or alongside other neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, ADHD or dyslexia.
What does DLD look like in children?
• Need more time to understand spoken information
• Find it harder to learn and remember new words
• Experience challenges with grammar and word order
• Struggle to explain ideas or tell stories
• Find reading and writing more effortful
• Feel tired or frustrated from keeping up with language‑heavy environments
What does DLD look like in adults?
• Struggle to keep up with conversation, especially in group settings
• Experience challenges with word‑finding or following complex instructions
• Not understand abstract language
• Find it difficult to recount details and sequences of events
Face barriers to employment
Experience impact on mental health
Making Sense of DLD in Adulthood
Many adults with DLD were never identified in childhood and may have grown up feeling misunderstood. A diagnosis at any age can bring clarity and self‑understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), including identification, support, and how speech and language therapy can help across the lifespan.
A diagnosis of DLD is made by a speech and language therapist using a combination of:
- Standardised assessments
- Observations
- Developmental history
- Information from families, teachers, or employers
- Consideration of how language differences affect everyday life
DLD can be identified in children, young people, and adults. Many adults were not identified in childhood and may only receive a diagnosis later in life.
People with DLD often thrive when environments are adapted to support their communication needs.
Helpful strategies include:
- Using clear, direct language
- Breaking information into smaller steps
- Allowing extra processing time
- Using visuals, written supports, or demonstrations
- Checking understanding without pressure
- Reducing background noise where possible
- Encouraging self‑advocacy (e.g. “Can you repeat that?”, “Can I have that in writing?”)
Yes. Speech and language therapy can provide tailored support at any age.
Therapy may focus on:
- Vocabulary development
- Grammar and sentence structure
- Narrative skills
- Understanding spoken language
- Social communication
- Confidence and self‑advocacy