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Level 1 / 114 William St T 61 3 9642 4899 office@speechpathologyaustralia.org.

au
Melbourne Victoria 3000 F 61 3 9642 4922 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

MEDIA RELEASE

What is Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)?


Speech Pathology Australia is driving a campaign in Australia to shed light on a hidden condition
that affects on average two children in every classroom. Developmental Language Disorder is a
condition that causes difficulties with speech, language understanding, communication, and reading
(with an associated high risk of dyslexia).

“Raising awareness of DLD is crucial,” said Gaenor Dixon, National President of Speech Pathology
Australia.

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is now the accepted term for language difficulties where
the language disorder has no other differentiating or influencing condition (e.g. the absence of
Autism, Down Syndrome, Fragile X, etc.).

The term DLD describes children who are likely to have a language problem that endures into
middle childhood and beyond; without diagnosis and specialist support this condition has a
significant impact on their everyday social interactions and schooling.

“DLD has in the past been referred to as ‘specific language impairment’, ‘language disorder’,
‘developmental language impairment’, ‘developmental language disorder’, or some other name,
which has often caused confusion,” added Ms Dixon.

“DLD tends to run in families. The cause for this condition is unknown, but there is likely a genetic
component.

“By introducing of an internationally agreed term in 2017 and with increasing awareness and
recognition of DLD, children affected should be able to access the speech pathology support they
need.”

The complexity of DLD means that it can have a serious and long-term impact on development.
Research indicates that by age 16, around 40 per cent of those with DLD have difficulties interacting
with their peers, with half experiencing bullying during their childhood, compared to less than 25 per
cent of typically-developing teenagers.

Research has also found teenagers with DLD are more than twice as likely to report symptoms of
depression, as compared to their peers. Without diagnosis and specialist support, the impacts of
DLD can last into adulthood, increase the risk of unemployment, and reduce the opportunity to be
independent.

The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited


ABN 17 008 393 440
DLD often results in significant difficulties with reading, writing and spelling. This means that
sometimes students with an underlying DLD may be labelled with dyslexia, when the DLD has not
been identified.

Even where a child can read aloud accurately, there are often problems with understanding what
has been read. These problems are frequently overlooked, and this failure to comprehend can be
misinterpreted by teachers as naughtiness or inattention, as most teachers are not taught about
DLD in their training.

Support from speech pathologists can make a real difference.

Friday 19 October is International Developmental Language Disorder Awareness Day. The


day is being internationally observed.

<ends>

18 October 2018

Media contact: Michael Kerrisk, Communications and Marketing Manager at Speech Pathology
Australia on (03) 8622 0411 or 0409 776 733.

Speech Pathology Australia is the national peak body representing more than 8,500 speech pathologists. The
Association supports and regulates the ethical, clinical and professional standards of its members, as well as lobbying
and advocating for access to services that benefit people with communication and swallowing difficulties.

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