Developmental language disorder (DLD)

This advice has been written by students with DLD.

Understand speech and language difficulties

Speech – the sounds we use to make spoken words

• Students with speech difficulties may:
  • miss out sounds in words
  • use the wrong sounds in words
  • be more difficult to understand when speaking in sentences

Language – understand and using words and sentences

• Students with language difficulties may:
  • not understand the meaning of words
  • struggle to learn new words
  • not understand sentences and instructions 
  • struggle to find the words they need
  • struggle to put words together in a sentence

Trying to understand how I feel

• “I just stop listening and then I get into trouble.” Colin, year 7.
• “I just I panic that I can’t get through the tasks.” Ryan, year 8.
• “I’m not bothered me, what’s the point in really trying?” Lewis, year 10.
• “I get really worried.” Tyler, year 8.
• “I just say that I understand, even when I don’t.” Emily, year 7.

Know what can make learning hard

• When a teacher talks for too long
• When there is lots of noise in the classroom
• When the teacher says words that are too hard to understand
• When there is too much information to remember
• If I am asked to remember things quickly
• If there are lots of jobs to do all at once
• Learning, remembering and using new words
• If I am asked to read out loud
• Working with a learning partner.

Know how to help

• Please talk to me about what helps
• Show me what to do and not just tell me
• Give me work at the right level
• Only talk for about 10 minutes at a time. Do shorter activities.
• Ask for my answers when I put my hand up
• Write or draw my jobs on the board
• Teach me new and harder words. Help me remember them.
• Check I have understood by asking me about the first thing I have to do
• Tell me when I have done well
• Use an adult in the class to check that I have understood

Know where to ask for help

• Speak to your SENCo or Learning Support Department
• Speak to the Swindon Speech and Language Therapy Service by emailing p@swindon.gov.uk or by calling 01793 466790
• Look at the Swindon Speech and Language Therapy Service page on the Local Offer website
• Look at the DLD website about supporting children with DLD
• Read this useful and comprehensive guide to understanding more about DLD and the different levels of support a child or young person might need