Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) Awareness Day 2024 Donegal

11 October 2024

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) Awareness Day 2024 Donegal

A series of light up events are taking place across Donegal on Friday October 18 2024 to raise awareness about Development Language Disorder (DLD).   

Developmental Language Disorder or DLD is a significant difficulty with learning, understanding and using spoken language for no known reason.  It emerges in childhood and persists into adulthood. Research says 1 in 14 children may show signs of DLD, which would mean 2 children in the average classroom.

Speech and Language Therapists have a crucial role to play in the diagnosis of DLD and in supporting people with DLD to understand their diagnosis, achieve their potential and reduce the impact of their difficulties. 

Fiona McGowan, Speech and Language Therapist talks about this year’s theme being ‘Speak up for DLD’. “The theme calls on the community to speak up for the needs of people with DLD at school and in the workplace. Daily life at school and work often involves talk, lots of talk, and spoken language is a barrier to learning and working for people with DLD.”

This is where teachers and employers can have a HUGE impact. By creating a supportive and safe environment, anxiety can be reduced and students and employees with DLD then have the space to grow and thrive.

You can support a person with DLD by: 

• Giving your full attention 
• Using pictures and written notes to support your verbal message. 
• Allow plenty of time for the person to respond. 
• Check for understanding.  Repeat and rephrase when needed. 

Educators and employers are encouraged to head to www.radld.org  for more resources on how to support people with DLD at school and work.

The public buildings across Donegal that will be lit up in purple on October 18 are:

• Letterkenny Public Services Centre (PSC)
• Milford PSC
• Dungloe PSC
• Donegal Town PSC
• Carndonagh PSC
• County House Lifford.
• Donegal Town Primary Care Centre

Be sure to keep an eye out for them, and think of DLD! 

To mark the day further, the Donegal Speech and Language Therapy Department will be wearing purple and have organised a day of online learning for their teams with a focus on the assessment and diagnosis of DLD through the UK organisation NAPLIC.

There is still so much to learn about DLD and you can find more information on Developmental Language Disorder at www.radld.org