Blue slide with a large white title: Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) in Adults, and an orange rounded button above reading Adult Speech-Language Pathology.

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) in Adults 

BySasha Sugita
  • Poster about Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) in Adults; features a person looking out a window, a blue CTA area, and Banter logo at bottom.
  • Poster titled 'What is DLD? Understanding the disorder' with three info cards about DLD and a Banter logo at the bottom right.
  • Informational infographic about DLD prevalence: highlights '1 in 4 people affected' with a sources note, and 'less than 20% have heard of DLD' with citations, on a blue and cream layout with a logo at the bottom.
  • Infographic stating that DLD persists into adulthood, featuring four blocks: Morphology, Semantics & Syntax, Pragmatics, and Reading & Comprehension with authors and years, plus a Banter logo at bottom.
  • Infographic poster about real-world impact showing four areas: Education, Employment, Independent living, and Mental health with icons and a closing note.
  • Promotional infographic about speech therapy: navy background, white panels state that intervention remains important and support should be tailored to strengths; includes three benefit bullets and Banter logo with orange arrow button.
  • Infographic poster titled 'Beyond communication skills' with four tiles—Workplace, Social, Self, Life—each with an icon, borders, and a bottom quote; Banter branding.
  • Section title 'Resources' with a 'Find out more' header; list of DLD resources below showing logos and names like Banter Speech & Language, The DLD Project, RADLD, DLD and Me.
  • Call-to-action poster for Banter: dark blue panel with a white 'Schedule a Consultation' card and contact options (link in bio, email, phone).
  • Promotional poster inviting questions, featuring Sasha Sugita, practice lead at Banter Speech & Language, with a large question banner and a rightward CTA circle logo at bottom right.

DLD is most commonly diagnosed in childhood. Read on to see how DLD presents in adults.

What is DLD?

  • Neurodevelopmental condition

Affects how an individual understands and uses language.

  • Not explained by other conditions 

Not explained by hearing loss, neurological injury, intellectual disability, or other identified biomedical conditions.

  • Formalising the diagnostic criteria for DLD 

The CATALISE international consensus project marked an important shift in recognising DLD as clinically meaningful, functionally significant, and worthy of ongoing identification and support across the lifespan.

Bishop et al., 2017

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How common is DLD?

  • 1 in 14 people affected

One of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions.

Norbury et al., 2016

  • <20% Australians have heard of DLD

Contributing to its stigma as a “hidden disability”.

Kim et al., 2022

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DLD persists into adulthood 

Adults with DLD show difficulties across multiple language domains:

  • Morphology (Lee & Tomblin, 2015)
  • Semantics and syntax (Winstanley et al., 2018)
  • Pragmatics (Winstanley, Webb & Conti-Ramsden, 2018)
  • Reading and comprehension (Conti-Ramsden et al., 2018)

Language difficulties persist into adolescence and adulthood, even when surface-level communication appears functional.

Botting et al., 2020

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Significant & long-term consequences 

Education: Significant ongoing challengesEmployment: Poorer outcomes vs typically-developing peers
Independent living: Greater difficulties reportedMental health: Greater risk of poor-esteem, anxiety and depression

These difficulties do not resolve with adulthood, and outcomes are consistently poorer than typically-developing peers. 

 Dubois et al., 2020; Wilmot et al., 2024

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Intervention remains important

  • Meaningful progress when support is tailored to strengths and needs, and the contexts that matter most.
  • Support can be beneficial well beyond childhood.
  • Enhances everyday functioning and participation across settings.
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How support makes a difference 


Targeted therapy may improve communication confidence in managing demanding communication situations, including:

  • Workplace

Communication confidence in workplace interactions & further study.

  • Social

Navigating complex social contexts including friendships.

  • Self

Strengthened self-awareness and self-advocacy.

  • Life

Broader life participation beyond communication skills. 

Dubois et al., 2020

For many adults, diagnosis and intervention represent a turning point, not only in how they communicate, but in how they understand themselves and what they believe is possible.

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Find out more


The following organisations provide accessible and evidence-informed resources on DLD:

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Related articles:

Speech Therapy for Adults: what it is, who it helps, and how it works

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