How can speech and language therapy help with DLD?

Speech and language therapy can help people with DLD to develop their language abilities to their maximum potential. Speech and Language Therapists will teach strategies to the child and those around them to reduce the impact of their communication difficulties and support them to access education and social activities.

Input by an SLT may include:

• Identifying, assessing, and diagnosing the communication difficulties.

An SLT will carry out comprehensive assessments in order to identify language development and areas of difficulty for the individual. They will assess how this impacts on: communication, educational outcomes, social participation, and wellbeing.

• Developing and delivering strategies and programmes of therapy to support a child with DLD.
• Supporting schools to integrate strategies into the classroom in order to maximise children’s language learning and use.
• Helping others e.g. teachers and parents in their use of communication techniques and communication friendly classrooms.
• Raising awareness, educating, and training professionals in identifying and working with children with DLD.
• Supporting parents with what to expect following their child’s DLD diagnosis.

Strategies to support children and young people with DLD

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Support strategies for parents and carers

To access further information about DLD

• Plymouth Online Directory (POD). Local offer.
• Raising awareness of Developmental Language Disorder
• Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• The DLD Project

Local help and support

If you have any questions about Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), or have concerns about a child or young person, you can seek help through the Livewell Southwest Request for Help process.  You can contact us on 01752 434844.  School staff can also request a discussion with their link Speech and Language Therapist.

We also offer training on Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) for professionals – this aims to support you to understand the term DLD, have the knowledge to identify DLD, understand why it is important for children and young people (CYP) that we identify DLD, understand strategies to support those with DLD, and to raise awareness of the additional resources available.