Developmental Language Disorder: How to Recognise and Support

At least 2 in 30 children (7.58%) in each classroom experience a Developmental Language Disorder, which, without proper intervention and aid, can go on to cause significant problems for the child, both personally and academically.?

Fortunately, here at Chatterbug, we’re here to help you recognise the signs and provide adequate and accessible intervention to ensure every child can live a fulfilling life and more easily communicate with the world around them.?

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What is DLD?

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is any significant ongoing, long-term difficulty in using spoken language. Whilst there is no known cause of DLD, children who also struggle with learning difficulties, Autism Spectrum Disorder, hearing impairment or brain injuries, may be likely to also suffer with DLD.?

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What are the signs of DLD in the classroom?

DLD can also slow the progression of a child’s academic career. This may be noted by:

• Limited vocabulary
• Reading abilities
• Social skills – e.g. lack of interaction with other children
• Poor short-term memory in conversation
• Lack of complex sentence use
• Struggling with literacy?
• Difficulty with attention and concentration
• Lack of storytelling skills

What are the signs at home?

DLD signs may be apparent at home. Your child may struggle with:

• Locating items without a gesture (e.g. Asking them to find their toy without pointing to where it is)
• Following bedtime stories/narrative
• Understanding requests
• Understanding negotiating in language?
• Turn-taking awareness

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What effects can DLD have on a child without intervention?

DLD can cause a multitude of difficulties for a child, outside of language and communication, without proper intervention. Children that experience DLD are likely to experience a delay in their schooling career. Without the ability to fully understand and use spoken language, they are more likely to be disengaged in the classroom. This means that their academic performance may be in jeopardy.

Children with DLD may also experience comorbidities, such as depression anxiety or other self-esteem issues. This is typically a result of social isolation from peer groups. Without the ability to properly express themselves and understand others, they may not be able to build those essential relationships with other children.?

In addition, they may not have the language and communication skills to tell others about things that are impacting them in order to rectify them, causing long-term issues for the child.

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What intervention is available for DLD?

Intervention in classrooms is essential for aiding DLD. Support in classrooms might include:

• Lesson recaps, to support short-term memory
• Colour-coding and visual aids to support language development
• Pair Information in digestible chunks, as opposed to long dives without breaks for air!
• Regularly pair with students that show model language use for the age group

At home might include:

• Interactive bedtime stories (encourage the child to repeat back sentences)
• Provide visual aids at home to help language development, particularly for new vocabulary.?
• Encourage all kinds of communication outside of speech (e.g. gestures and expressions)?
• Take time with your language use around the child, and give them time to respond.?

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What can Chatterbug do to help?

Chatterbug has a variety of ways to support children with Developmental Language Disorder. Most importantly, we offer essential training – How to Support Children with DLD – for those in education settings about the signs and ways to support affected children. We can even create a bespoke session for your setting!

We also have a variety of other training courses, if you are looking to upskill yourself or staff.

To support children with DLD, we also offer life-changing intervention services. These can take place in education settings or privately in our clinics. You can find out more about our services here.?

Get in touch

For any questions or to sign up, contact the team here or:?

Call: 0113 240 8510 ? ? ? ? Email: [email protected] / [email protected]