You Can’t See Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) – But It’s Time the World Did

The Department of Human Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Malta will be marking International #DLDday on Friday 17 October 2025.

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is a hidden but common lifelong disability that affects 1 in 14 people. It causes difficulties understanding and using language for no known reason — and because DLD cannot be seen, its impact is often overlooked in classrooms, workplaces, communities, and even within families.

The Department of Human Communication Sciences and Disorders has joined the campaign to raise awareness of DLD.

“DLD is often invisible because there is nothing to signal that an individual has the condition”, said Prof. Daniela Gatt, Associate Professor at the University of Malta. “Individuals with DLD and those around them may not even realise that a significant language disorder is actually present. As a result, language problems are often misinterpreted as signs of slowness, lack of intelligence or social inadequacy. The struggles with language that individuals with DLD experience need to be acknowledged and supported". Prof. Gatt emphasised that increased awareness of DLD is a society-wide priority.

To mark International DLD Day 2025, staff and students from the Department of Human Communication Sciences and Disorders will be distributing posters and information leaflets at the University of Malta's Msida Campus, to help raise awareness of the condition among the University community and beyond.

The 2025 DLD Day theme, "You Can’t See DLD", calls on everyone to speak up for the invisible needs of people with DLD — especially in schools and workplaces, where spoken language is central to participation and success.

DLD often leads to reduced access to education, challenges with employment, and social isolation. Despite being a relatively unknown condition, its hidden nature can have very visible consequences. People with DLD are six times more likely to experience anxiety and three times more likely to experience clinical depression. They are also at greater risk of difficulties with reading, writing, and maths — all of which affect educational outcomes and lifelong opportunities.

“This is where teachers and employers can make a HUGE difference,” said Stephen Parsons, Chairperson of Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder (RADLD), the international body coordinating DLD Day. “By creating supportive, inclusive, and language-aware environments, we reduce anxiety and open the door for people with DLD to grow and thrive.”

RADLD encourages educators, employers, and community leaders to access practical resources at RADLD.org to help support people with DLD.

Join the Department of Human Communication Sciences and Disorders this #DLDday as they promote awareness of Developmental Language Disorder. #DLDDAY, now in its ninth year, is celebrated annually around the world with more than 60 countries involved.

For more information, contact Prof. Daniela Gatt.

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