It’s a common disorder affecting 1 in 14 people, which causes difficulties in understanding and using language, but very few people have heard of it.
DLD or Developmental Language Disorder is a hidden, but common disability and this year’s DLD Awareness Day or DLDday (14 October) is a timely reminder of this often-unrecognised disorder.
“People with DLD are 6 times more likely to suffer from anxiety and 3 times more likely to have clinical depression,” says Stephen Parsons, Chair of RADLD (Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder).
RADLD is the lead organisation that coordinates international DLDday, and the organisation is advocating for increased recognition and support for those living with DLD.
“Although DLD is a common condition affecting many areas of life, people with DLD are unlikely to receive access to services,” says Mr Parsons adding that those with the condition are also at significant risk of difficulties with reading, spelling, and maths.
The 2022 DLDday theme is Growing with DLD, highlighting that DLD is a lifelong, permanent disability.
People don’t grow out of DLD but with individualised support that can include regular speech-language therapy and educational adjustments, they can thrive.
It’s about growing with DLD.
To mark the day on 14 October, over 85 locations across the globe will light up to raise awareness of DLD with Brisbane’s King George Square and the iconic Story Bridge among those landmarks to be lit up in Purple and Yellow.
DLDday, now in its sixth year, is celebrated annually around the world with more than 40 countries involved.
For more information on DLD, visit languagedisorder.org.au/what-is-language-disorder/dld/ and radld.org.
