DLD Can Be Easy to Miss

Many children begin speaking later than parents expect. In most cases, they gradually catch up to others their age. However, some continue to struggle with language as they grow. Ongoing language challenges may point to developmental language disorder, or DLD.

DLD is a lifelong communication condition. It affects how a person learns, understands, and uses language, often continuing into adulthood.

“DLD is extremely common, yet it often goes unrecognized,” says Dr. Mary Alt, a speech and language specialist at The University of Arizona.

It ranks among the most frequent developmental disorders. DLD can influence speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.

The precise cause of DLD remains unclear. It often appears in families, suggesting a genetic link. Researchers believe both inherited traits and environmental factors may influence how the brain develops.

Strengthening language abilities is essential for children with DLD. Scientists are working on new methods to enhance learning and to spot affected children earlier so they can receive help sooner.

Recognizing Early Clues

One of the first warning signs of DLD can be delayed speech. Young children with DLD may have trouble learning new words and expressing themselves clearly.

“If a young child relies more on gestures than words to communicate, it may signal difficulty learning language,” explains Dr. Jim Montgomery, a professor of communication sciences at Ohio University.

Another early indicator is limited sentence complexity. By preschool, most children begin forming full sentences.

“A child with DLD may use much simpler phrases,” says Alt. “Instead of saying, ‘Look, the dog is running,’ they might say, ‘Him run.’”

Alt and her colleagues recently followed children who were late talkers between ages 2 and 3. Their research found that delayed speech can signal later struggles with language and reading.

More than half of the late talkers in the study were later identified with a learning disability during their school years. While DLD increases the risk of learning disabilities, the two are not identical conditions.

DLD affects foundational language abilities, which can influence academic success. Children may find it hard to build vocabulary, form clear sentences, or organize their thoughts into stories.

“DLD exists on a spectrum, ranging from mild to severe,” Montgomery notes.

Learning disabilities involve difficulties with specific academic skills such as reading, writing, or math. Dyslexia is one example. Children with dyslexia often struggle to connect sounds with letters and words, making reading and spelling challenging.

“Dyslexia and DLD frequently overlap because both involve language,” Alt explains. “Dyslexia affects written language, while DLD affects spoken language. Sometimes when a child is diagnosed with dyslexia, their oral language skills aren’t fully evaluated. There’s a difference between dyslexia alone and dyslexia combined with DLD.”

Many children experience both conditions. Individuals with DLD are six times more likely to develop reading and spelling difficulties by adulthood. Trouble understanding language can also make math harder. Children with DLD are four times more likely to have a math-related learning disability.

Improving Early Identification

DLD can be challenging to detect because symptoms vary from child to child.

“In mild cases, DLD may not greatly affect everyday conversation,” Alt says.

However, as schoolwork becomes more demanding—especially in reading and writing—language weaknesses may become clearer. “In more severe cases, children may struggle to express even basic needs,” she adds.

“Subtle language difficulties can be easy to overlook,” says Dr. Suzanne Adlof, a speech-language researcher at the University of South Carolina.

“Schools are often where the impact becomes obvious. Currently, many schools do not routinely assess oral language skills before academic problems appear.”

Adlof and her team are developing screening tools to evaluate oral language in schools. They are studying how language skills typically develop from kindergarten through third grade.

Using this information, they aim to establish benchmarks for a screening test. Such tools could identify children whose language development is lagging and track whether interventions are helping them improve.

Tailoring Support

Professionals trained in communication disorders can help children with DLD strengthen their language abilities. Speech-language pathologists assess, diagnose, and treat DLD. Therapy is customized to meet each child’s specific needs.

“Treatment approaches must evolve as children grow, because their language demands and challenges change over time,” Montgomery explains.

Montgomery’s research team is exploring ways to teach complex sentence structures to school-age children with DLD. They are comparing two methods. One method directly teaches grammar rules and sentence components. The other exposes children to numerous examples of complex sentences, encouraging natural pattern learning. The researchers are examining which strategy is more effective.

“Most children absorb grammar naturally without formal instruction,” Alt says. “But children with DLD may not learn these patterns on their own.”

Alt’s team is also studying which treatments work best for children between ages 2 and 5. They are investigating why some children respond well to therapy while others do not.

Although researchers continue refining support strategies, many effective interventions are already available. Parents who are concerned about their child’s speech or language development should consult a healthcare provider.

“Whenever a child struggles with reading or writing at school, it’s important to evaluate their spoken language skills as well,” Adlof advises. “Language difficulties may be an underlying cause.”