The big picture:
Some speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are reluctant to diagnose developmental language disorder (DLD) even when a child meets the criteria because ‘disorder’ is a medical term with negative connotations or because supports may not be available. With respect, it’s not their decision to make.
Why it matters:
Early, clear, consistent, and evidence-based diagnoses of DLD can:
- help families find trustworthy information (see below);
- help children and families find support communities, e.g. through DLD family networks;
- unlock access to funding and supports, e.g. at school;
- help teachers make evidence-based adjustments for inclusion, learning and participation;
- offer protections under disability rights legislation;
- help fight stereotypes, bias, low expectations, and stigmatising labels like ‘stupid’ or ‘lazy’;
- help children and families talk openly about both developmental impairments and strengths, including during transition periods; and
- help raise general awareness of DLD, its prevalence, and the need for increased research funding.
Zoom in:
Reframing DLD as a ‘delay’ or ‘difference’:
- makes it harder for some families to get information and help when they need it;
- ignores evidence that, for many, DLD is lifelong, with significant social, language, education, vocational, and mental health challenges that can persist into adulthood; and
- masks how common it is – ~7% of children may have DLD at school entry – with knock-on effects to services, funding and research.
Go deeper:
As with diagnoses of autism and ADHD, a DLD diagnosis:
- does not mean SLPs and families must adopt a medical model for intervention; and
- is not inconsistent with psychosocial, participation, ICF, family-centred, strengths-based, or neurodiversity-affirming models of disability or support.
Bottom line:
Labels matter. People with DLD, including children, have the right to know their diagnosis, what it means, and how to access evidence-based information and practical help.
What people choose to do with their DLD diagnosis at different stages of life – including around disclosure, self-identification, advocacy, and goals for adjustments or interventions – are decisions for them. Not their SLP.
Read more:
Hobson, H.M., Toseeb, U. & Gibson, J.L. (2024) Developmental language disorder and neurodiversity: Surfacing contradictions, tensions and unanswered questions. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 59, 1505–1516. https://doi.org/10.1111/1460-6984.13009 (Open Access)
Information for families:
RADLD (Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder)
Developmental Language Disorder (DLD): A free guide for families
This article also appears in a recent issue of Banter Booster, our weekly round up of the best speech pathology ideas and practice tips for busy speech pathologists, speech pathology students and others.
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Hi there, I’m David Kinnane.
Principal Speech Pathologist, Banter Speech & Language
Our talented team of certified practising speech pathologists provide unhurried, personalised and evidence-based speech pathology care to children and adults in the Inner West of Sydney and beyond, both in our clinic and via telehealth.
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