What is it?

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is when a child has long term difficulties in being able to use and understand language. If they speak more than one language, it will have an effect on all of these. This condition was previously known as Specific Language Impairment (SLI).

How does it affect children?

Every child with DLD is unique and it will present differently in every child. Your child’s specific difficulties can also change as they get older and they need to develop more complex communication skills.

Children with DLD may:

• Not talk as much and find it difficult to express themselves using words.
• Find it harder to remember certain words or use a range of vocabulary.
• Have language that sounds immature for their age.
• Not understand information or remember what someone has said.
• Older children may also have difficulties reading and using written language.

Language difficulties may also underlie behaviour issues such as anxiety or misbehaving in class.

DLD is a long-term condition that can have a big impact on a person’s learning and achievement at school. Children with DLD are more likely to have reading difficulties when they reach school age.

Sometimes DLD can affect children’s social interaction skills and their ability to make and keep friends.