Understanding DLD
This language disorder affects a child’s ability to understand and use language but has no known cause.
What is Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)?
A child with DLD may appear to understand class discussions but struggles to do this when writing assignments.
What is organizing and expressing their thoughts in writing?
A teacher notices a student frequently staring blankly, copying others, or giving off-task answers. This could be a sign of what?
What is difficulty understanding spoken language?
Using visuals, hands-on activities, and breaking down instructions are effective ways to support students with this condition.
What is DLD?
This multi-tiered system helps identify and support students struggling with language and learning before referring them for special education services.
What is Response to Intervention (RTI)?
Children with DLD may struggle with these aspects of language, including grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure.
What are syntax, semantics, and morphology?
Students with DLD may struggle with this social skill, which involves taking turns in conversations.
What is pragmatic language or social communication?
A student struggles to follow multi-step directions and often forgets instructions shortly after hearing them. This may indicate difficulty with what?
What is auditory memory or processing?
A teacher helps a student by providing extra processing time, sentence starters, and graphic organizers. These strategies support what skill?
What is expressive language?
When a teacher suspects a language disorder, they should first document concerns, provide classroom interventions, and consult this school-based specialist.
Who is a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)?