How is developmental language disorder diagnosed?

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is diagnosed through a combination of clinical observation, standardised language assessments, and information from parents, teachers, and other professionals. A speech pathologist plays a central role in the process by testing a child’s ability to:

• Understand spoken language (receptive skills).
• Express themselves using words, sentences, and grammar (expressive skills).
• Use language for social interaction and learning.

The diagnosis is made when language difficulties are persistent, significantly affect daily life, and cannot be explained by hearing loss, autism, or intellectual disability.

If you think your child may have DLD, early assessment is crucial. Book a consultation with us to begin the process.