Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) – You Can’t See DLD
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Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) Awareness Day is on Friday, 17 October 2025, and this year’s theme, “You Can’t See DLD”, reminds us that many of the difficulties that people with DLD face are invisible to the eye.
At North Shore Speech Therapy, we’re passionate about raising awareness for DLD, a condition that affects 1 in 14 people yet often goes unnoticed and undiagnosed. This day is a chance to shine a light on the hidden challenges of children with DLD and advocate for the support they need to thrive.
What is DLD?
Developmental Language Disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that impacts a person’s ability to understand and use spoken language. Unlike many other communication difficulties, DLD occurs without a known cause, making it harder to identify and support.
Children with DLD may struggle to follow instructions, express themselves clearly, or understand what others are saying. These challenges can affect learning, friendships, and emotional wellbeing. Because DLD is not always visible, many children go without the help they need.
Why Awareness Matters
DLD is more common than autism, yet it’s far less recognised. On average, two students in every classroom may have DLD. Without awareness, these children risk being misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or simply overlooked.
The theme “You Can’t See DLD” is a powerful reminder that just because a child doesn’t “look” like they’re struggling, doesn’t mean they aren’t. Awareness leads to understanding—and understanding leads to action.
At North Shore Speech Therapy, we work closely with families to identify and support children with DLD through evidence-based assessment, intervention and collaborative care.
DLD Awareness Day is about visibility, understanding, and action. By recognising the signs and advocating for support, we can help children with DLD find their voice and flourish.
Let’s look beyond the surface and help people with DLD to be heard and seen.
About Us
North Shore Speech Therapy has four state of the art speech therapy clinics across Sydney’s North Shore, in Chatswood, Hornsby and Neutral Bay. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more great content and to explore our services.
