16/10/2026
A child may be speaking in full sentences and still find some language demands difficult.
Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is lifelong, but it may look different as children grow. For a younger child, this might involve learning new words, following instructions or building sentences. During the primary school years, language is needed for storytelling, classroom explanations, reading and writing. By adolescence, students may be managing abstract vocabulary, fast-paced discussions and increasingly complex spoken and written responses.
This is not about effort or intelligence. It is about noticing the language demands around the child or teenager and making communication, learning and participation more accessible.
For DLD Awareness Day 2026, our new article explores how DLD may present from early childhood to adolescence — and how support can grow with the young person.
Read the full article on the Speakable website.
https://www.speakable.com.au/dld-at-different-ages-how-language-demands-change-from-early-childhood-to-adolescence/