What is Developmental Language Disorder
                     HOME ABOUT US OUR SERVICES OUR PROGRAMMES FOR KNOW YOUR BLOGS & More...
PROFESSIONALS CHILD SOCIAL
A ll Posts Speech and Language Therapy Maths Dyslexia & Dyscalculia M ore Log in /  Sign up
What is Developmental  Language   Disorder 
(DLD)?
So, you’ve probably heard kids stumble over words or struggle a bit to express 
themselves,
right? Well, for some children, this goes beyond the usual challenges of learning to speak.
Key takeaways about D L D  that might surprise you
Let’s get down to some facts, shall we?
7% of the population: DLD a ects about 7% of people, making it more common than  you 
might think.
Boys vs. Girls: DLD is more common in boys than girls, although it’s not clear why this  is the 
case.
No Known Cause: As frustrating as it is, there’s no single cause of DLD. It just  
happens.
Therapy Helps: While DLD is a lifelong condition, therapy can make a huge
di erence. The right support can help children with DLD navigate their challenges  and 
Developmental Language Disorder, or DLD, as it’s more commonly known. It’s one 
nd ways to communicate more e ectively.
of
those things you might not notice right away because, well, it doesn’t show up 
on the
surface like other conditions. But DLD is very real and can signi cantly impact a 
child’s
life, particularly their ability to communicate e ectively.
DLD is essentially a condition where a child nds it di cult to use and understand  
language, even though they’re just as bright as their peers. Imagine being able to think of
a thousand things to say but  ghting to get the words out. That’s what DLD feels like for
many children. They might have a hard time socializing with their friends, expressing how  
they feel, or even just keeping up with their schoolwork. And it’s not because they’re not  
trying –  it’s because their brain processes language di erently.
Why Does Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) Happen?
Ah, the million-dollar question –  why does DLD happen? Well, here’s the kicker: we don’t  
really know. There’s no single cause we can point to and say, “Aha! That’s why.” It’s a bit of a  
mystery, honestly. What we do know is that it’s more common in  boys than girls,  and it  a 
ects about 7% of the population. Yep, you read that right. It’s more common than  Autism 
and ADHD, yet it doesn’t get nearly as much attention.
Some researchers think genetics might play a role, while others suggest that  environmental 
factors could be involved. But the truth is, there’s no de nitive answer. It’s  one of those things 
that just, well, happens.
H o w  C o m m o n  is Developmental  L a n g u a g e  Disorder (DLD)?
Now, you might be wondering just how common DLD really is. Imagine you’re in a  classroom with 28 
students. Statistically, 2 of those kids could have DLD. That might not  seem like a lot, but when you 
think about how many classrooms there are across the  world, it adds up. It’s a lifelong condition, too. 
While DLD is usually identi  ed and treated  in childhood, it doesn’t just disappear as a child grows older. 
It’s something they learn to  manage and live with throughout their lives.
Norbury, C. F., Gooch, D., Wray, C., Baird, G., Charman, T., Simono , E., et al. 2016. The impact of nonverbal ability on 
prevalence and clinical
presentation of language disorder: evidence from a population study. J. Child Psychol. 
 Psychiatry 57:1247–57. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.12573
The Impact of D L D  on  Learning
Alright, so how does DLD actually a ect a child’s learning? Well, language is at the heart  of 
pretty much everything we do in school –  from reading and writing to understanding  math 
problems and following instructions. For children with DLD, these things can be a  real struggle.
Kids with DLD might nd it hard to understand what their teachers are saying or to keep  up with 
the pace of classroom discussions. This can lead to poor academic performance,  not because 
they’re not smart, but because they’re not getting the language input they
need to succeed. Reading can be particularly tough because they struggle to decode
words and make sense of what they’re reading. And let’s not even get started on math –   trying 
to interpret complex problem-solving questions can be like trying to read a foreign  language.
So, what can you do if your child has DLD? Well, rst things rst, don’t panic. With the right  
support, children with DLD can absolutely achieve in school and in life. It all starts with a  
comprehensive language assessment by a speech and language therapist. This helps to  
understand where your child is struggling and to create a personalized plan to address  their 
needs.
Here are some practical tips to help your child at home and in school:
Make Language More Accessible: Instead of vague instructions like “Get ready for  school,” try 
something more explicit, like “Time is up! The bus is here. You need to  change into your 
uniform, grab your bag, and head out.”
Repeat and Rephrase: Keep instructions short and simple. Repeat them as needed  and use di 
erent words if your child doesn’t understand right away.
Use Visual Supports: Visual cues like charts, planners, and posters can be incredibly  helpful. 
They give your child something to refer to and help reinforce verbal  instructions.
Practice, Practice, Practice: Children with DLD need lots of repetition and  opportunities to 
practice their language skills. Consistent, well-planned activities can  make a huge di 
erence.
At Total Communication, we understand just how challenging Developmental Language  
Disorder (DLD) can be for children and their families. That’s why we o er focused services  
adapted to meet the rare needs of each child. Our team of experienced speech-  language 
therapists and educational therapists work closely with you to create a  supportive and 
enriching environment for your child.
But here’s the thing –  the earlier you act, the better. Early intervention can signi cantly  improve 
outcomes for children with DLD, so don’t wait.
Reach out to us today to schedule a consultation and get started on your child’s journey  to 
better communication.
Call us: +65 9115 8895
E-mail us: [email protected]
Address -  10 Winstedt Road, Block A #20-01, SINGAPORE 227977 
Website - https://www.totalcommunication.com.sg/ 
Don’t let another day go by without taking action –  your child deserves the best support  possible, 
and at Total Communication, we’re here to provide just that.