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(RADLD) is an international organisation helping to increase awareness of a hidden, but common condition.

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is a lifelong condition that often goes unrecognised.

The Department of Human Communication Sciences and Disorders (HCSD) at the University of Malta is joining forces with RADLD and other organisations worldwide to mark #DLDday 2024 on Friday 18 October.

DLD is a hidden language impairment that first appears in childhood and persists throughout adolescence and adulthood. Individuals with DLD show no obvious signs of impairment. Generally, they have normal hearing, are intellectually capable and show no biomedical condition that would be associated with impaired language skills. They may even excel in art, music, sports or other fields that do not draw directly on language processing ability. Language-based activities, however, pose significant difficulty. As a result, communication and academic achievement are affected negatively. Employment opportunities, social relationships and mental well-being may also be impacted by this significant language disorder that often goes unnoticed.

Despite being unobvious, DLD is very common, affecting two in every 14 individuals. Although speech-language pathologists (SLPs) assess, diagnose and provide therapy for language disorders, limited recognition of DLD hinders referral and implementation of effective support systems. Individuals who struggle to understand spoken language fully, especially when non-literal meanings are involved, or to describe events, personal experiences or emotions in an organised and coherent manner, may well be showing features of DLD rather than inattentiveness, impulsivity or lower-than-average intellectual functioning.

Awareness of DLD in Malta is extremely limited, according to from the Department of Human Communication Sciences and Disorders of the at the University of Malta.

The general public needs to become more cognisant of the toll that DLD takes on language processing ability and considerate of the consequences.

Let us Speak Up for DLD!

#DLDday