Developmental Language Disorder (DLD): The Hidden Disability – What Parents and Teachers Need to Know
DLD is the most common Special Educational Need you may NEVER have heard about.
Every October, we mark Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) Awareness Day to raise awareness of one of the most common and most misunderstood neurodevelopmental conditions affecting children and young people.
DLD impacts the way a child understands and uses spoken language. It is often described as a hidden disability because children with DLD may appear just like their peers, but underneath, they can be struggling to understand and use language in ways that affect their learning, friendships, and confidence.
“Think you’ve never met anyone with DLD? You actually have! Many people with Developmental Language Disorder go undiagnosed, but current estimates suggest that around two children in every classroom have DLD. Although DLD affects people across the lifespan, with the right support people with DLD can thrive in every aspect of life.”
— Mollie Gadd, Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (DLD Pathway Lead, Words First)
What is Developmental Language Disorder?
DLD is a lifelong difficulty with understanding language, using language, or both — for no obvious reason. It is not caused by hearing loss, intellectual disability, speaking multiple languages, or lack of exposure to language.
Children with DLD may:
- Struggle to follow instructions, especially when they are long or complex
- Find it hard to express themselves or recall the right words
- Have difficulty forming grammatically correct sentences
- Appear inattentive or withdrawn during group discussions
- Fall behind academically, particularly in literacy and comprehension
Why is DLD Often Missed?
Because children with DLD often develop compensatory strategies, their difficulties can be mistaken for behaviour issues, shyness, or lack of effort. Teachers may notice that a child is bright and engaged in some subjects but struggles unexpectedly in others.
Without proper understanding and identification, children with DLD can experience frustration, low self-esteem, and social isolation. Early recognition is key to providing the right support.
How Parents and Teachers Can Help
Supporting children with DLD does not always require specialist tools. It starts with awareness and small, practical adjustments.
In the classroom:
- Simplify and break down instructions into manageable steps
- Use visuals, gestures, and modelling to reinforce understanding
- Check comprehension by asking children to explain instructions in their own words
- Provide key vocabulary before lessons and revisit it often
- Collaborate with Speech and Language Therapists for strategies and targeted interventions
At home:
- Give your child time to respond — silence can help them process language
- Model new vocabulary naturally during conversation
- Read together and talk about stories to build comprehension
- Praise effort and communication, not just correctness
Thriving with DLD
While DLD is a lifelong condition, children and adults with DLD can thrive when their needs are recognised and understood.
With consistent support from therapists, educators, and families, young people with DLD can achieve academically, socially, and emotionally.
At Words First, we are committed to raising awareness, empowering educators, and supporting children with DLD across our schools and clinics. Every step towards understanding DLD helps create more inclusive classrooms where all learners can succeed.
About Mollie Gadd
Mollie Gadd is a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist and the DLD Pathway Lead at Words First. Since qualifying from the University of East Anglia in 2018, Mollie has dedicated her career to supporting children with Developmental Language Disorder across specialist and mainstream settings.
She brings expertise in Shape Coding interventions, Makaton, and collaborative multidisciplinary practice, ensuring that children with DLD receive targeted, evidence-based support.
Mollie is also a Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder (RADLD) ambassador and a published researcher, passionate about empowering families, educators, and communities to better understand and support children with DLD.
