🗣️ World DLD Awareness Day – Friday 18th October 2024

World DLD Awareness Day is an important opportunity to shine a light on a condition that often goes unseen — Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).

DLD is a hidden but common neurodevelopmental condition that affects approximately 2 children in every classroom. Despite being so widespread, it is still widely misunderstood.

This year, on Friday 18th October 2024, we’re joining organisations around the world to raise awareness, promote understanding, and highlight the power of the right support.

💡 What Is DLD?

Developmental Language Disorder is a diagnosis given when a child or adult has significant difficulties with:

• Talking (expressive language)

• Understanding language (receptive language)

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These difficulties are not caused by another condition, such as hearing loss, autism, or intellectual disability. DLD can affect how a person communicates, learns, and connects with others throughout their life.

📚 How Does DLD Affect Daily Life?

DLD can impact:

• Literacy and academic learning

• Building friendships and social confidence

• Emotional well-being

• Everyday communication

  
  

Because DLD is often invisible, children and young people may be misunderstood, labelled as inattentive, or even misdiagnosed. This is why awareness and early support are so important.

👂 Support Makes a Difference

With the right help — including from Speech and Language Therapists, teachers, and understanding adults — children and young people with DLD can:

✔️ Learn strategies to support communication

✔️ Build confidence in their strengths

✔️ Thrive academically and socially

✔️ Feel seen, supported, and included

🎥 Want to Learn More?

The RADLD campaign has produced a brilliant video that explains DLD in a clear, accessible way. Whether you're a parent, professional, or simply curious, it's a great place to start.

📺 Watch the video here:👉 What is DLD? - RADLD YouTube Video

You can also visit the RADLD website for more facts, downloadable resources, and awareness materials:🌐 www.radld.org

💙 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

On this World DLD Awareness Day, let’s:

• 💬 Talk more about DLD

• 📣 Share reliable information

• 🤝 Listen to lived experiences

• 💡 Empower families and educators

• 🌍 Help make the invisible, visible

  
  

Because every voice deserves to be understood.