Developmental language disorder (DLD) is a common but often unidentified condition.
Children with DLD can struggle to understand what is said to them and to be understood. DLD is often mistaken for poor behaviour and complicated by co-occurring attention, motor and
other difficulties.
DLD can have long term and detrimental effects on social, emotional, mental health and academic functioning.
Support from professionals including speech and language therapists and teachers can make a significant difference to the lives of children with DLD.
The Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT) and many partner organisations across Ireland join those in the UK, Australia, the US, Finland, Canada and New Zealand in a campaign to increase awareness of DLD on October 18 2019.
This year the theme of the campaign is about understanding the condition from the perspectives of those affected by it.
Irish families can share their story about living with DLD
by uploading a short video here.
Such videos are a powerful way of telling policy makers and service planners about DLD.
There are many videos already being shared on YouTube, with subtitles being developed across languages.
The IASLT launched a position statement in 2017 which includes a comprehensive action plan to ensure best outcomes for Irish children with DLD.
Priority actions include: increasing knowledge and skills to support the identification of DLD, and facilitating effective collaboration between SLTs, teachers and families to provide effective supports in primary and secondary school.
There is ongoing work being undertaken by the IASLT National DLD Implementation Group to influence policy and practice across Ireland for children and families with DLD.
The IASLT aims to spread the word and tell as many people as possible about this hidden disability.
Please get involved on October 18th 2019 to help improve the lives of those living with DLD.
