What is Developmental Language Disorder?

And how do we support students who struggle with listening and speaking challenges?

Developmental language disorder (DLD) is a neurodevelopmental condition which makes it difficult to understand and use linguistic information. DLD impacts listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Common hallmarks include late language acquisition (late talker), difficulty following complex directions, reduced grammatical complexity (speaking in very simple sentences), word-finding struggle (word-retrieval), reduced vocabulary knowledge and usage, and reduced overall comprehension of concepts.

Impaired expressive and receptive language skills can lead to both academic and social challenges. It is developmental in nature, meaning early signs typically occur when children are first learning to babble, imitate, say early words, and form sentences/phrases. Struggle with early conversation skills such as joint attention and turn-taking are also potential signs of DLD. DLD may or may not co-occur with speech/phonological impairment.

The following are other diagnostic terms that may refer to DLD:

• Specific learning disability

• Expressive and/or receptive language delay

• Language learning disability

• Language impairment/delay

What are signs of DLD?

DLD is typically diagnosed using comprehensive language testing by a psychologist or speech-language therapist. The following are more specific indicators of DLD:

• Delayed talking

  • Vocalizes less as a baby and toddler

  • Late in developing first words 

  • Late in putting words together in simple sentences

• Weak vocabulary development

  • Difficulty learning new words

  • Confuses similar sounding words (Ex: Pacific and specific)

  • Difficulty recalling words in conversation (may frequently insert “um” while thinking)

  • Overuse of indefinite pronouns and referents (Ex: thing, stuff, this/that)

• Weak oral expression

  • Difficulty telling personal experiences

  • Difficulty expressing ideas and feelings

  • Reduced turn-taking in conversations

  • Difficulty asking questions or requesting clarification

• Weak grammar skills

  • Frequent grammatical errors while speaking

  • Errors of verbs and pronoun usage, especially when young

  • Only uses simple sentences

• Poor listening comprehension

  • Unable to summarize or narrate what was heard

  • Difficulty identifying main ideas

  • Difficulty understanding complex vocabulary

  • Difficulty understanding questions

  • Difficulty following directions

• Weak written expression matches weak oral expression

  • Uses simple sentences

  • Poor narration and summarization

  • Weak vocabulary and grammar usage

• Poor abstract thinking and figurative language skills

• Possible spelling weakness

  • Poor distinction between similar sounding words and phrases (Ex: then vs. than; have to vs. half to)

• Possible delayed speech sound development

  • Difficult to understand when young

• Possible weak phonological (sound) awareness skills

How to assess for Developmental Language Disorder?

A Speech-Language Pathologist can help you determine if your child has a Developmental Language Disorder. First, an inventory of the student’s speech and language development will be obtained. Formal standardized assessments plus experienced clinical judgment will be used to evaluate skills in the following areas:

• Language Working memory

• Expressive Language skills

  • Syntax

  • Sentence formulation

  • Vocabulary usage

• Receptive Language Skills

  • Listening comprehension

  • Vocabulary knowledge

  • Following Directions