Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)
What does Developmental Language Disorder mean?
Developmental Language Disorder, or DLD, affects a child’s ability to understand and/or use language. It can affect vocabulary, grammar, conversation, storytelling, following directions, learning, and social participation.
Why this term matters
Because language challenges are also part of many autistic children's profiles, DLD can sometimes be missed or folded into an autism diagnosis — yet DLD has its own patterns and its own evidence-based supports, so identifying it means your child's speech-language therapy can be tailored more precisely to what they need.
Canadian context
Speech-language pathology services in Canada are available through schools, children's treatment centres, and private practice, with publicly funded access varying by province and territory; eligibility for funded services is determined by the administering program, and wait times can be significant in many regions.
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