Research School Network: Hidden in plain sight – Developmental Language Disorder

If you put Improving Literacy at Key Stage One and Improving Literacy at Key Stage 2 Guidance reports side by side, it is easy to see the threads that run through them both. You might notice that the first recommendation of both reports refers to the importance of children’s oral language development. This shouldn’t be any surprise to any of us – language is the foundation of literacy. In fact, let’s go a step further – language is literacy.

But more than that, language is essential to every aspect of learning. Talk is the principal tool of teaching; listening (and understanding) the principle tool of learning. So, the development of language must be at the heart of what we do.

But… for many children in school, language is a huge challenge. Did you know that approximately 2 children in every class of children have a difficulty with language that can lead to difficulties in learning, socialising and making friends and can contribute to mental health problems? Developmental Language Disorder is the most commonly misdiagnosed special educational need in school. Children might be thought as having behaviour difficulties, or dyslexia – a difficulty that is more easily recognised- rather than the more complex underlying challenge of having a more comprehension difficulty understanding language and communicating themselves.

So, are you aware of the children in your school, or class with these challenges? Would you know what to do and how you can support children with Developmental Language Disorder? For something that is so relatively common, it really is the Cinderella of disorders – hidden in plain sight.

We really need to know more about this….

Find out more: Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder , NAPLICEEF Oral Language Interventions

Watch this Space! Professor Courteney Norbury and Stephen Parsons (Chair of NAPLIC) and author of the Words Aware training programme will be presenting at the Aspirer Research School Early Years Conference on 14^th June, along with an amazing line up of other speakers and workshops. 

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Professor Courtney Norbury (leader of the Scales Study) and Stephen Parsons (Chair of NAPLIC) and author of the Words Aware training programme will be presenting at the Aspirer Research School Early Years Conference on 14^th June, along with an amazing line up of other speakers and workshops.