Best Practices for Teaching Students with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is a complex condition that affects a child’s ability to acquire language skills, impacting their communication, social interactions, and academic performance. Children with DLD may struggle with understanding and using language, which can manifest in various ways, such as difficulty following instructions, limited vocabulary, or challenges in forming sentences. This disorder is not linked to other developmental issues, such as hearing impairments or intellectual disabilities, making it essential for educators and parents to recognize its unique characteristics.

Understanding DLD is crucial for fostering an environment where affected children can thrive. The prevalence of DLD is significant, affecting approximately 7% of children, which translates to one in every classroom. Despite its commonality, DLD often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, leading to inadequate support for those who need it most.

Early identification and intervention are vital in mitigating the long-term effects of DLD on a child’s educational journey. By understanding the nuances of this disorder, educators can better tailor their teaching methods to accommodate the needs of students with DLD, ensuring that they receive the support necessary to succeed academically and socially.

CREATING A SUPPORTIVE AND INCLUSIVE CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT

• Promote Empathy and Understanding

  • Educate all students about Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) to foster awareness and reduce stigma.

  • Encourage respectful communication and patience through group discussions and role-playing activities.

• Build Positive Peer Relationships

  • Implement collaborative learning tasks that require teamwork and mutual support.

  • Pair students with supportive buddies who can model positive behaviors and provide peer assistance.

• Create a Safe and Welcoming Space

  • Ensure that the classroom culture prioritizes kindness, respect, and inclusion.

  • Address bullying or exclusion immediately and consistently.

• Optimize the Physical Environment

  • Organize the classroom to reduce noise and visual distractions that may hinder focus.

  • Offer flexible seating to accommodate different learning preferences and comfort levels.

• Establish Clear Routines and Expectations

  • Use visual schedules, cues, and consistent routines to help students with DLD anticipate transitions and tasks.

  • Reinforce expectations regularly using simple, direct language and supportive visuals.

• Encourage Participation and Expression

  • Provide multiple ways for students to express themselves—verbally, through writing, drawing, or using technology.

  • Celebrate all efforts and contributions to build confidence and self-esteem.

• Support Individual Needs

  • Adapt tasks as needed to match students’ language and learning levels.

  • Work closely with speech-language pathologists and special educators to ensure tailored support.

Creating a supportive and inclusive environment helps students with DLD feel respected, understood, and motivated to participate actively in classroom life. When inclusion is woven into the fabric of classroom culture, all students benefit from a richer, more compassionate learning experience.

IMPLEMENTING EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTIONS AND STRATEGIES

• Use Structured Language Programs

  • Implement interventions that focus on vocabulary enrichment, grammar, and narrative development.

  • Select research-backed programs such as Language for Learning, Story Grammar Marker, or Talk Boost.

• Tailor Interventions to Individual Needs

  • Conduct regular assessments to identify each student’s language strengths and areas of difficulty.

  • Adapt materials and approaches to match the child’s communication profile and learning style.

• Incorporate Visual Supports

  • Use visual schedules, cue cards, and graphic organizers to reinforce understanding.

  • Pair verbal instructions with images or symbols to aid comprehension and recall.

• Embed Language Goals into Daily Routines

  • Integrate language learning into regular classroom activities across all subjects.

  • Emphasize repetition and consistent language modeling throughout the school day.

• Leverage Play-Based Learning

  • Encourage role-playing, storytelling, and themed games that stimulate spontaneous language use.

  • Use open-ended play materials (e.g., puppets, figurines, dress-up items) to promote expressive language.

• Facilitate Collaborative Interactions

  • Design group tasks that require verbal negotiation, decision-making, and turn-taking.

  • Guide peer interactions to support positive language models and inclusive participation.

• Work in Partnership with Specialists

  • Collaborate regularly with speech-language pathologists to plan and review interventions.

  • Attend training sessions to stay informed about the latest strategies and evidence-based practices.

• Monitor Progress and Adjust Accordingly

  • Use data from observations and assessments to track language development.

  • Refine strategies based on student responsiveness and emerging needs.

COLLABORATING WITH SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS

• Partner with Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs)

  • Involve SLPs in creating and reviewing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) with specific, measurable language goals.

  • Schedule regular meetings to share observations and update progress on student communication skills.

  • Use SLP recommendations to adapt classroom instruction and communication strategies.

• Share Observations and Classroom Data

  • Provide detailed feedback to SLPs about students’ language use in daily classroom settings.

  • Highlight strengths, challenges, and behavioral cues that may affect language performance.

  • Use classroom-based data to complement formal assessments and guide intervention planning.

• Coordinate with Other Specialists

  • Work alongside occupational therapists to support skills like handwriting and sensory integration, which may affect classroom participation.

  • Collaborate with school psychologists to address emotional regulation, attention, and social interaction challenges linked to DLD.

• Engage in Team-Based Planning

  • Organize multidisciplinary team meetings that include teachers, SLPs, specialists, and families.

  • Develop cohesive strategies that integrate academic, communication, behavioral, and emotional support.

  • Align goals across disciplines to ensure a consistent and holistic approach to student development.

• Implement Consistent Strategies Across Settings

  • Reinforce language targets from therapy sessions within classroom activities and routines.

  • Use common prompts, cues, or visual aids recommended by specialists to ensure continuity.

  • Share effective strategies with recess supervisors, aides, and other staff to support generalization of skills.

• Participate in Ongoing Professional Learning

  • Attend workshops and training sessions facilitated by SLPs and other experts on supporting students with DLD.

  • Seek opportunities for joint planning and co-teaching to strengthen integration of specialized support.

• Maintain Open Communication with Families

  • Collaborate with parents to reinforce language strategies at home.

  • Include families in planning discussions to ensure support strategies are practical and consistent across environments.

By fostering strong partnerships with SLPs and a range of professionals, educators can ensure that students with DLD receive the comprehensive and consistent support they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

DIFFERENTIATING INSTRUCTION TO MEET DIVERSE LEARNING NEEDS

• Use Multiple Modes of Instruction

  • Incorporate visual supports such as charts, diagrams, and infographics to reinforce spoken or written content.

  • Include hands-on activities and manipulatives to engage kinesthetic learners.

  • Provide auditory resources like recorded instructions or text-to-speech tools for students who benefit from listening.

• Adapt Teaching Strategies

  • Break complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps with clear, concise instructions.

  • Use modeling and repetition to reinforce key concepts, especially for students with language processing difficulties.

  • Provide scaffolding (e.g., sentence starters, graphic organizers) to help students organize their thoughts and responses.

• Flexible Grouping

  • Rotate between individual, small group, and whole-class activities to match different learning preferences.

  • Pair students strategically to encourage peer support and collaborative learning.

  • Offer opportunities for students with DLD to work with classmates who model strong communication skills.

• Offer Choices in Assignments

  • Allow students to demonstrate understanding through various formats (e.g., drawing, oral explanation, digital presentation).

  • Provide options that tap into students’ interests and strengths, increasing engagement and confidence.

  • Modify assignments by reducing language-heavy demands without compromising learning objectives.

• Differentiate Assessments

  • Use alternative assessments such as oral interviews, portfolios, or project-based learning instead of traditional written tests.

  • Give extended time or reduce the number of items to alleviate pressure on students with language difficulties.

  • Implement rubrics that assess content understanding separately from language use.

• Leverage Technology

  • Use educational apps and programs that support differentiated instruction and allow students to work at their own pace.

  • Employ tools like speech-to-text and visual learning platforms to support students with expressive or receptive language needs.

  • Create digital learning paths tailored to each student’s skill level and preferred mode of learning.

• Maintain a Supportive Environment

  • Create a classroom culture that values effort, progress, and multiple ways of learning.

  • Provide regular, specific feedback that focuses on student growth and encourages self-reflection.

  • Celebrate diverse strengths and learning styles to boost confidence and classroom inclusivity.

By implementing differentiated instruction, teachers can better support students with DLD and ensure that all learners have meaningful access to the curriculum in ways that suit their individual needs and abilities.

USING VISUAL AIDS AND TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE LEARNING

• Incorporate Visual Supports

  • Use charts, diagrams, and mind maps to break down complex ideas into digestible parts.

  • Display step-by-step instructions or visual schedules to guide students through tasks and routines.

  • Provide graphic organizers to help students plan and structure their thoughts for speaking or writing activities.

  • Use labels and visuals around the classroom to reinforce vocabulary and language concepts.

• Enhance Comprehension and Communication

  • Integrate picture cues or symbol systems to support understanding and expression, especially in early learners or those with limited vocabulary.

  • Offer visual prompts during discussions or presentations to reduce language processing demands.

  • Use illustrated storybooks or captioned videos to combine visual and auditory learning.

• Leverage Educational Technology

  • Implement interactive apps and games that focus on vocabulary, grammar, and language comprehension.

  • Utilize speech-to-text tools to support students who struggle with written expression.

  • Use text-to-speech software to help with reading fluency and comprehension.

  • Introduce augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices for students who need support with verbal communication.

• Support Individualized Learning

  • Offer customizable learning platforms that adapt to a student’s pace and ability level.

  • Allow students to create multimedia projects (videos, slideshows, voice recordings) as alternative assignments.

  • Track progress using data-driven language programs that provide real-time feedback and reporting.

• Promote Engagement and Motivation

  • Make use of interactive whiteboards and digital storytelling tools to make lessons more dynamic and student-centered.

  • Encourage students to use creative tools like drawing apps or animation programs to express their ideas visually.

  • Incorporate gamified learning environments that reward progress and effort, boosting confidence.

By combining visual aids and technology, educators can make abstract concepts more accessible, reduce language barriers, and foster a more inclusive and empowering classroom experience for students with DLD.

ENCOURAGING SELF-ADVOCACY AND SELF-REGULATION SKILLS

• Promote Self-Awareness

  • Help students recognize their strengths and challenges through personal reflection activities or one-on-one discussions.

  • Use visual aids or charts to help students identify emotions and understand how those emotions impact learning and behavior.

• Teach Self-Advocacy Skills

  • Encourage students to express their needs by practicing how to ask for help or clarification in a respectful way.

  • Create role-playing scenarios that simulate real-life situations (e.g., asking for extra time, explaining misunderstandings).

  • Foster a classroom culture that values open communication, where students feel safe to voice their concerns and preferences.

• Introduce Goal-Setting Techniques

  • Guide students in setting personal academic or behavioral goals, and help them create step-by-step plans to achieve them.

  • Use goal charts or progress trackers to make achievements visible and rewarding.

• Support Emotional Regulation

  • Teach and model mindfulness exercises, deep breathing, or movement breaks to help students manage stress and frustration.

  • Incorporate calm-down strategies such as emotion cards, timers, or designated quiet spaces.

• Provide Tools for Self-Monitoring

  • Encourage students to use checklists or self-assessment rubrics to reflect on task completion and behavior.

  • Integrate journaling or reflection prompts at the end of activities to help students evaluate their effort and outcomes.

• Reinforce Positive Behavior and Independence

  • Acknowledge and celebrate when students take initiative or demonstrate problem-solving and self-control.

  • Gradually increase opportunities for independent decision-making, allowing students to take more responsibility for their learning.

By nurturing both self-advocacy and self-regulation, educators empower students with DLD to become more confident, independent learners capable of navigating their academic and social environments effectively.

PROVIDING ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT FOR EDUCATORS

• Stay Informed Through Training

  • Offer regular workshops, seminars, or online courses focused on Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), language development, and inclusive teaching strategies.

  • Ensure professional development includes practical, classroom-applicable techniques for supporting language needs across subjects.

• Access to Current Research and Resources

  • Provide educators with up-to-date research, toolkits, and evidence-based intervention materials to enhance instructional practices.

  • Encourage participation in educational conferences or memberships in organizations focused on speech and language development.

• Build Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)

  • Establish regular team meetings or PLCs where teachers can collaborate, share experiences, and reflect on practices.

  • Use these communities to discuss case studies, analyze what strategies are working, and problem-solve challenges together.

• Promote Collaboration with Specialists

  • Encourage ongoing collaboration with speech-language pathologists (SLPs), special educators, and school psychologists.

  • Invite specialists to lead in-house training sessions or co-develop strategies tailored to specific classroom needs.

• Provide Coaching and Mentorship

  • Implement systems where experienced teachers or specialists mentor others on supporting students with DLD.

  • Offer co-teaching opportunities to model interventions and share responsibility for diverse learners.

• Support Reflective Practice

  • Encourage teachers to engage in reflective journals, peer observations, or self-assessments focused on inclusive practices.

  • Use reflection tools to promote continuous improvement and awareness of student needs.

• Ensure Administrative Support

  • School leaders should prioritize time and resources for professional learning on DLD and inclusion.

  • Recognize and celebrate teacher growth and efforts in inclusive education through feedback and professional recognition.

By prioritizing ongoing professional development and fostering a culture of collaboration and support, schools empower educators to meet the diverse needs of students with DLD confidently and effectively. This sustained commitment ultimately leads to more inclusive, understanding, and successful learning environments for all students.

full potential academically and socially.