DLD looks different in each individual child. The child’s specific difficulties can also change as they get older and need to develop more complex skills. DLD is a long term condition that can have a big impact on a child/young person’s learning and achievement at school.

There is no known cause of DLD. However we know that it is NOT caused by:

• Parenting style

• Being bilingual

• Emotional difficulties

• Other medical conditions, such as hearing loss, Autism or severe learning difficulties. However, children and young people with these difficulties may also have a Language Disorder, but we do not describe this as DLD.

 How can you support your child at home?

• Get your child’s attention - say their name before asking questions or giving instruction so they know when to listen.

• Ensure your child can see your face to support their attention and listening.

• Use simple language and repeat if necessary to support memory and provide as many opportunities for them to hear, see and use words.

• Talk calmly and slowly to support their ability to process words.

• Give your child more time to respond to help them process information.

• Use of symbols – provide a picture and/or use gestures to represent new words or concepts to support their understanding visually.

• Encourage your child to communicate with you however they can, accept gesture, pointing, facial expression.

• Check they have understood instructions or new information.

• Help them learn skills to join in with other children. For example, playing games at home to support turn taking and listening to others.

 For more information, please see: https://dldandme.org/