If you’ve ever watched a child stumble over words or struggle to explain a story, you know how heartbreaking it can feel. For many children, this is just part of learning and growing. But for some, difficulties with language are more than a temporary phase. This is where Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) comes in. DLD is a condition that affects six to eight percent of children (McGregor, 2019).
Despite how common it is, DLD often flies under the radar. Families might not hear the term until years into their child’s school journey, and even then, confusion can linger. What exactly is DLD? How is it different from communication differences in autism or from learning a second language? And, most importantly, how can we support children with DLD so they can thrive?
What is Developmental Language Disorder?
Put simply, DLD is when a child has significant and persistent difficulty with understanding or using language, and these struggles cannot be explained by hearing loss, issues with intelligence, or another obvious cause (McGregor, 2019). It’s a hidden condition. Kids with DLD may look just like their peers, but they may find it hard to follow directions, tell stories, or learn new words.
Some signs of DLD include:
- Trouble putting words together into sentences
- Difficulty remembering or retrieving the right word
- Problems understanding what others say, especially in group settings
- Challenges learning new vocabulary or grammar rules
These difficulties don’t go away on their own, and while children with DLD can make progress with support, they often continue to face language challenges into adulthood.
Clearing Up a Common Confusion
When talking about language struggles, it’s important to distinguish between DLD and other situations. For example, students who are learning English (or another language) as a second language make grammatical mistakes, mix words, or struggle to express themselves, but that doesn’t mean they have DLD. The standard for identifying language disorders comes from studying native speakers of a language, not second-language learners.
This distinction matters because multilingualism is not a disorder. Children learning a new language will need time and expert teaching to catch up, but their brains are working as expected. DLD, on the other hand, involves core difficulties with language learning itself, regardless of how many languages a child speaks.
DLD and Autism: Overlapping Challenges
How DLD is different from communication challenges in autism? Researchers have studied this carefully. Both children with autism and children with DLD can show delays in vocabulary and grammar, and both groups may struggle with storytelling or making sense of complex sentences. However, there are important differences.
A 2021 study compared language profiles in children with autism and those with DLD. It found that while both groups face language challenges, children with autism often have additional difficulties in social communication, like reading between the lines, understanding sarcasm, or interpreting tone of voice, while children with DLD primarily struggle with the structure of language itself (Georgiou & Spanoudis, 2021).
Think of it this way: A child with DLD may understand the intent behind a joke but not be able to tell it smoothly. A child with autism might deliver the joke fluently but miss the subtle cues that make it socially appropriate. Recognizing these differences helps parents, teachers, and therapists tailor the right kind of support.
Why DLD Matters Beyond the Classroom
It’s tempting to think of language difficulties as just an “academic” issue. But the truth is, DLD can shape every part of a person’s life.
A 2024 study spoke directly with adults who grew up with DLD, as well as speech-language therapists who work with them. The findings were eye-opening: Many adults described feelings of isolation, frustration, and even shame linked to their struggles with communication. They often faced challenges in friendships, romantic relationships, and the workplace – not just in school (Wilmot et al., 2024).
Some reported mental health struggles, including anxiety and depression, stemming from years of feeling misunderstood or left out of conversations. Therapists in the study emphasized that awareness and early intervention could make a huge difference not only in language outcomes but also in self-confidence and overall well-being.
This highlights a vital truth: DLD is not just about words. It’s about connection, belonging, and opportunity.
Supporting Children With DLD
The good news is that with the right support, children with DLD can flourish. Here are a few steps parents and caregivers can take:
- Seek assessment early. If you notice persistent language struggles, ask your paediatrician or school’s learning support department for a referral to an educational psychologist or speech-language pathologist.
- Use clear, simple language. Short sentences and visual cues can help children process information more easily.
- Encourage storytelling. Reading together and asking your child to retell stories in their own words builds language skills.
- Advocate at school. Make sure teachers understand DLD and can provide accommodations, like extra time for assignments or oral presentations. An IEP (Individual Education Plan) or LSP (Learning Support Plan) may be drafted to ensure that home and school are in agreement on how to best provide support.
- Focus on strengths. Children with DLD often shine in areas like art, sports, or problem-solving. Celebrate these talents to boost confidence.
Building a World of Understanding
One of the hardest parts of DLD is that it’s invisible. A child might be labeled “shy,” “lazy,” or “not paying attention” when in reality, they’re working twice as hard just to keep up. By raising awareness, we can shift the narrative from one of misunderstanding to one of empathy and support.
Every child deserves to be heard. Sometimes, this means listening with more than our ears and learning from words left unsaid.
Images: Freepik
Works Cited
Georgiou, N., & Spanoudis, G. (2021). Developmental Language Disorder and Autism: Commonalities and Differences on Language. Brain Sciences, 11(5), 589. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11050589
McGregor, K.K. (2019, September 17). DLDandMe. DLDandMe. https://www.dldandme.org/all-articles/diagnosing-and-treating-developmental-language-disorder-dld
Wilmot, A., Boyes, M., Sievers, R., Leitão, S., & Norbury, C. (2024). Impact of developmental language disorders on mental health and well-being across the lifespan: a qualitative study including the perspectives of UK adults with DLD and Australian speech-language therapists. BMJ Open, 14(10), e087532. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-087532
