If you’re a parent or caregiver wondering what is Developmental Language Disorder, you’re not alone. It’s a term many families first come across when they start noticing their child is struggling with communication, following instructions, or keeping up in the classroom. At first, it can be confusing or even overwhelming, but understanding DLD is the first step toward getting your child the support they need.
This guide explains what Developmental Language Disorder is, how it shows up in daily life, and how speech pathologists can help. We’ll also explore NDIS eligibility, support at school, and where you can learn more.
What is Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)?
Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is a lifelong condition that affects how a person understands and uses language. DLD is not caused by hearing problems, low intelligence, or poor parenting. Children with DLD are just as capable as their peers, but language is harder for them to learn and use.
DLD can affect:
- Understanding spoken language
- Using correct grammar and sentence structure
- Learning new words
- Expressing thoughts clearly
- Telling stories or explaining things in detail
Developmental Language Disorder is common, affecting around 1 in 14 children (Norbury et al., 2016). That’s about two children in every typical Australian classroom. Despite this, many people have never heard of it, and too many children with DLD miss out on early support.
What does Developmental Language Disorder Look Like?
It’s important to remember that every child with DLD is different, and the impact of DLD ranges across a wide spectrum. Some children are chatty but struggle to organise their thoughts clearly. Others may talk less or seem to avoid communication altogether, not because they don’t want to talk, but because it’s genuinely difficult.
Signs of DLD may include:
- Struggling to follow instructions
- Using short or grammatically incorrect sentences
- Difficulty finding the right words in conversation
- Trouble retelling stories or explaining ideas
- Slower vocabulary growth compared to peers
- Becoming frustrated, quiet, or anxious in communication-heavy situations
Developmental Language Disorder can go undetected, and it’s often mistaken for behaviour issues, inattention, or shyness. In reality, these behaviours may reflect a child who is working very hard to understand and be understood.
How Does Developmental Language Disorder Affect Everyday Life?
When a child has DLD, the impact goes far beyond language lessons. Language is the foundation for learning, social connection, emotional regulation, and everyday problem-solving. So when it’s harder to process or express language, a child may face challenges throughout their day.
You might notice your child:
- Struggles to understand everyday instructions (e.g. “Get your shoes and wait by the door”)
- Avoids talking or gets anxious when asked questions
- Has trouble making or keeping friends
- Misunderstands classroom expectations
- Appears withdrawn or “zoned out” during group conversations
- Acts out or becomes frustrated in situations that rely on language
These challenges can impact confidence, self-esteem, learning, and social development. But the good news is—with the right support, children with Developmental Language Disorder can thrive. Speech therapy, patient communication, and the right accommodations at school make a huge difference.
How is Developmental Language Disorder diagnosed?
A speech pathologist typically makes the diagnosis of DLD after a comprehensive language assessment. This may involve:
- Standardised tests
- Observation during play or conversation
- Parent interviews or questionnaires
- Reports from teachers or caregivers
To meet the criteria for DLD, the child’s language difficulties need to be significant and persistent, and not better explained by another known biomedical condition (such as autism, hearing loss, or intellectual disability). This approach comes from international guidelines, particularly the CATALISE Consortium, which aimed to clarify how DLD is identified.
How Can a Speech Pathologist Help With Developmental Language Disorder?
Speech pathologists are trained to identify and support children with DLD. At Speak Listen Learn, we take a strengths-based and individualised approach. Here’s how we help:
- Assessing language skills using both formal and play-based tools
- Creating a therapy plan tailored to your child’s needs and goals
- Supporting your child’s communication across home, school, and social settings
- Collaborating with educators and other professionals to create consistent support
Speech therapy for Developmental Language Disorder often focuses on building vocabulary, sentence structure, comprehension, and social communication. Just as importantly, we help children feel confident and capable in how they connect with others.
Can Children With Developmental Language Disorder Get NDIS Funding?
In some cases, children with Developmental Language Disorder may be eligible for NDIS funding. This largely depends on the severity of their difficulties and how much the condition impacts their everyday life. Developmental Language Disorder isn’t currently on the list of NDIS conditions that qualify for automatic approval, as severity and needs can vary. To gain access, a child (or adult) needs to demonstrate significantly reduced functional capacity, which includes things like learning, social participation, and emotional wellbeing.
To qualify, your child will generally need:
- A formal diagnosis of Developmental Language Disorder
- Evidence showing how DLD affects their daily life
At Speak Listen Learn, we support families through this process by providing reports, assessments, and practical guidance. For more information, Developmental Language Disorder Australia is an excellent resource.
Frequently Asked Questions About Developmental Language Disorder
Is Developmental Language Disorder the same as a speech delay?
No. A speech delay typically affects how clearly a child can say words (like speech sound substitutions or articulation difficulties). DLD affects language, how a child understands and uses words to communicate. A child with DLD might speak clearly but still have trouble expressing ideas or following instructions.
Will my child grow out of Developmental Language Disorder?
DLD is a lifelong condition, but that doesn’t mean your child won’t succeed and thrive. With the right support, including speech therapy and adjustments at school, children with DLD go on to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.
Can schools support a child with DLD?
Absolutely. Many children with DLD do well at school with the right support. This may include:
- Breaking tasks into smaller steps
- Using visuals like charts or checklists
- Allowing more time to process or respond
- Checking understanding before moving on
- Involving learning support teachers or aides
Speech pathologists can work with your child’s school to provide practical, classroom-friendly strategies.
Can a child have DLD and another diagnosis, like autism or ADHD?
It depends on the diagnosis. According to the CATALISE criteria:
- If a child has another diagnosed biomedical condition (like autism or a known genetic syndrome), they may still have language difficulties, but these would not be called “Developmental Language Disorder.” Instead, they’re considered part of a language disorder associated with another condition.
- A child can have DLD alongside ADHD, speech sound disorder, or dyslexia, as long as there is no overriding condition that explains the language difficulties. These are considered co-occurring conditions.
In simple terms: if language is the main difficulty and there’s no known cause, it may be diagnosed as DLD. If there is a known condition like autism, the language difficulties are still important, but the label “DLD” isn’t used. The good news is, either way, speech therapy can still help.
Where can I learn more about Developmental Language Disorder?
Here are some trusted resources to help you learn more and feel confident advocating for your child:
- The DLD Project – Includes lots of information for families, schools and professionals
- Raising Awareness of DLD (RADLD) – Global campaign with printable resources and videos
- Speech Pathology Australia
You can also reach out to us at Speak Listen Learn if you’d like to speak to someone about your child’s language development.
References
Norbury, C. F., Gooch, D., Wray, C., Baird, G., Charman, T., Simonoff, E., … & Pickles, A. (2016). The impact of nonverbal ability on prevalence and clinical presentation of language disorder: Evidence from a population study. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 57(11), 1247–1257.
The DLD Project. (2024). What is Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)? Retrieved from https://thedldproject.com/developmental-language-disorder-dld/
Developmental Language Disorder Australia. (2024). NDIS and DLD. Retrieved from https://www.developmentallanguagedisorderaustralia.org/ndis
Raising Awareness of DLD (RADLD). (2024). What is DLD? Retrieved from https://radld.org/
