Life as an adult with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)

[@noname7496]

Misunderstanding what other people mean by their words, and not being able to describe things clearly in order for others to understand what I’m trying to express, is a constant daily exhausting challenge.

[@RADLD]

If it helps to know that you are not alone. We are at the very early stages, but we are starting to see more adults with DLD stand up and make their voices heard. We are hoping this movement will grow!

[@Rotund_Eli]

I just got diagnosed with Language disorder associated with autism. I turn 22 next month. 18 years of education with no extra support and constantly questioning my own intelligence because of my language issues. It all makes so much sense now and it is kind of heartbreaking. Thank you for making this video, it will play a huge role in me accepting my disabilities.

[@RADLD]

Glad that you found the video of use. There is more information on our website at radld.org

[@Rachel-q5j1y]

I'm so glad to hear the video helped you accept and understand your challenges.

[@lizbaumann8946]

I have been missed. I am 44 and looking after my grandson full time. It has taken his salt difficulties to learn about dld. I was absolutely shattered when learning about it as i realised it was me too and that i had been missed. The consequences have been absolutely devastating, i am completely uneducated, suffered greatly with mental health, still do, and was always called lazy. I had even begun to believe this myself! I feel like i must seek help but dont know how or even if i would have the courage.

[@RADLD]

I want you to know that you are not alone. There are many (many) people who have had similar experiences. You are the reason we do the campaigning we do. There is a new Facebook group for adults with DLD (or who think they might have DLD). It is here: facebook.com/groups/connectingadultsdld/. The organisation 'Engage DLD' also have an online screener. It can't diagnose DLD, but it will let you learn a bit more www.engage-dld.com/sign-up. Check out our website for more information too: radld.org and email us if you want to chat some more.

[@sixoffcenter80]

I feel like I never really got the help I needed. Was pretty much written off as "quiet" as a kid, and never got the speech therapy I needed. Was instead thrown in a class for reading disabilities which I honestly think did more harm than good.

[@RADLD]

You are not alone. Many adults with what we now call DLD had similar experiences. Awareness and support services are still way to low. It's not too late as an adult. If you have a clear picture of your communication needs and know what helps others can then make changes too. Message us via Facebook if you wish to continue the conversation. Happy to help

[@katjordan4727]

Same!

[@DysphasiaPV]

This is an amazing video. I hope that it will spread awareness

[@SjiKoAjka]

Thank you.. i just discovered this. I relate with dld. I have adhd too

[@RADLD]

Many people with DLD also have ADHD, and also many with ADHD have DLD. You may be interested to know that there is now a Facebook group for adults with DLD. facebook.com/groups/connectingadultsdld/

[@tudormiller887]

I've recently been diagnosed with ADHD Combined, I've always found it hard to speak clearly and concisely, I know what I want to say, but I sometimes find it hard to express myself effectively so I'm often labelled as stupid.

[@RADLD]

You can find out more about DLD at our website radld.org. If you think you have DLD you can complete the online screener at www.engage-dld.com/sign-up

[@Rachel-q5j1y]

This is a frustrating experience for many people with DLD. It often leads to them being under-estimated. Is it any easier to write down what you want to say?

[@katjordan4727]

I feel like I just met my family. I have it too. I was diagnosed here in the states in the 90’s but it wasn’t really understood. I’ve compensated enough to get through school and ironically, I’m a therapist! I talk and listen all day! It is really hard sometimes though. Metaphors and reciting facts help.

[@RADLD]

Thank you for your comment 'met my family' captures it perfectly. There are more and more adults with DLD now. There is a Facebook group you may wish to join. We'd also love to hear more about your story. Contact us radld.org/contact/ if you wish to

[@Rachel-q5j1y]

People with DLD are so good at compensating for their language difficulties. It can be challenging at times though, like you say.

[@tombegone]

Definitely gets harder as an adult and nobody knows about it which makes it more difficult trying to explain it to people

[@RADLD]

We totally understand what you are saying. Most people don't 'get' what DLD is and is really hard to put into words. And especially hard for people with DLD of course. We will keep working to raise awareness!

[@VickyGRUENBLAT]

This was a nice, straightforward video.

[@Rachel-q5j1y]

Glad you found the video useful Vicky.

[@catluver2134]

This year I learned I have a Language Disorder from my therapist. I was tested when I was a kid by several people besides her. Other people that tested me thought I had autism, I don’t believe I do because mixed results of being tested by different people growing up. I do believe I have a language disorder and when explained it makes a lot of sense to me.😊

[@Rachel-q5j1y]

I'm glad to hear that finding out about language disorders/DLD makes some sense of your challenges.

[@AFilipinainEngland]

My son is 3 and half now, just today he was diagnosed with DLD, I was feeling down as his mom, I was scared to think how he can cope with his life if am not gonna be around anymore, but he is gorgeous happy boy I love him so much, I will learn more about DLD so that I can support him. I love him so much.

[@clownnny]

kids can only be diagnosed with DLD if they are 5 years old or more

[@clownnny]

or it might just be in Netherlands, if thats the case then sorry- ^^"

[@AFilipinainEngland]

@@clownnny it was the professional in speech and language therapist who diagnosed my son with DLD.

[@humphrke]

me suddenly being 25, not sure if my language problems are related to my adhd, my auditory processing disorder, or something else

[@RADLD]

You may wish to contact www.engage-dld.com/ who are developing assessment tools for adults.

[@Rachel-q5j1y]

It's very common to have ADHD and DLD. Auditory processing difficulties are usually part of DLD.

[@frizzelfrazzel99]

Omg I wondered I thought it was my Auditory processing disorder and A.D.H.D. my mom told me last night that I also have mixed receptive and expressive disorder! It all makes sense now!

[@RADLD]

Glad it makes sense now. Mixed receptive and expressive disorder is another way of saying Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). There are lots of people with DLD, but most do not know they have it. More information is available on radld.org.

[@sophierob5309]

I've been diagnosed with auditory processing disorder and ADHD earlier this year. But today my speech and language therapist said it seems your difficulty is DLD. So confusing

[@DeanSmith-ch1ep]

God bless you

[@Rachel-q5j1y]

@@sophierob5309 Glad to hear this makes more sense now Sophie.

[@roy805]

48 years old. Struggling with communication my entire professional life. And then someone says: maybe you have DLD 😲

[@RADLD]

Roy, If you are looking to confirm if you have DLD there is an online screener available via www.engage-dld.com/sign-up. More information is available at radld.org

[@Rachel-q5j1y]

I hear this quite a lot as a speech and language therapist working with adults with DLD. I hope you have been able to investigate this further.

[@caramellohoney]

My daughter was diagnosed at 17 years old. It's still difficult for me to think what her future holds. She still lives with me. Couple of times I've tried to get her to go out with her sister (15) and friends but she refuses. She doesn't want to join in anything in and outside the family. So I just let her make her choice when she wants to be out and about, other wise she's always home and she's comfortable 😕I didn't even know what DLD was until just recently. She also has Selective Mutism each doesn't help each other.

[@kahlp7124]

Hi Elisabeth, I was diagnosed when I was 13 - I am 33 now. I also have a reading comprehension disorder, lucky! I also had extreme anxiety and depression from the struggles of DLD through my entire middle and high school experience. I learned that we just learn differently. We're absolutely capable as individuals but it takes a lot of time to find ourselves. I am absolutely a homebody. My best advice is give her time to learn about herself, let her know she isn't stupid or below anybody else - she just learns differently. I am a hands on learner. I've learned to take notes and ask my customers to repeat themselves on anything I'm not sure about. You'd be surprised how many people know somebody who has struggled with something. I am in a management position now and in a year I will be trained to run the company. I lived with my parents until 25, now I am in the process of buying my first home! I have been with the same wonderful woman for almost 6 years now, and while it can be difficult to express myself (which leads to frustrations from my partner), she understands. It takes time, it takes patience, it takes really getting to understand herself and it takes forgiveness for the mistakes she will make. All in due time, the more she learns about herself, the more she will learn that we're no different from anybody else at the end of the day. Small steps and best of luck.

[@RADLD]

Thank you so much for writing this. I will pass it on to the people who made it (all of who also have DLD).

[@seaside456]

@Frances Fu You sound a lot like me,it is a horrible condition.

[@susanc913]

@@kahlp7124 my daughter who is 9 has dld and reading this makes me fell so happy thank you

[@julie-annmccarthy1930]

@@kahlp7124 Hi Kahl how did you overcome the severe anxiety? I have just been diagnosed at 32 and I feel it’s my speech that gets worse when I am stressed or nervous. Thanks

[@Isaiah_Navarro]

This is me I thought I was the only one who struggled with this.

[@RADLD]

You are not alone! Find out more information about DLD on our website too radld.org

[@MarmaladeINFP]

I seem to have DLD, but it's largely to do with word recall. Because of early language therapy, I learned to compensate by having a large vocabulary and so I have no trouble communicating. But I simply can't remember certain things easily such as names. This feels embarrassing at work. I have new coworkers all the time and I simply can't keep track of their names or can't recall them. Yet I oddly have high verbal intelligence because I read and write a lot. It's a weird mix.

[@RADLD]

DLD presents in many different ways. If you think you have DLD then you can complete the online screener at www.engage-dld.com/sign-up

[@Rachel-q5j1y]

Yes, people with DLD usually have a mixture of strengths and challenges.

[@ShekinahFineArt]

Can you be diagnosed with DLD as an adult or is it something that should have been picked up as a child?

[@RADLD]

Yes, you can be diagnosed with DLD as an adult. The issue is that services internationally are very much focussed on children. And so it is hard to find a Speech and Language Therapist / Pathologist, and especially within public services. If you sign up with engage with DLD www.engage-dld.com/ they have a checklist which helps individuals to think about possible DLD. It is not a diagnosis but it is a guide.

[@VW67]

Thank you so much for creating this video.

[@RADLD]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Rachel-q5j1y]

I am glad you found it useful.

[@mooncatandberyl5372]

i might have this, and i also have symptoms of atention defecit disorder but it hasnt been diagnosed, ive been diagnosed with dyslexia and autism, so hard to know which symptoms are from what condition, i get words mixed up with each other, left and right, or bedroom and bathroom,i say one when i mean the other, I struggle to put what I am thinking into words both talking and writing, i cannot cut out background noise, i cannot take in everything when someone is talking to me, i cannot quickly switch from one thing to another, trying to find words to expres what im thinking and feeling when talking with people such as professionals working in NHS is exhausting, and other things too.

[@RADLD]

There is lots of crossover between DLD and dyslexia and autism and DLD. Dyslexia and autism are ore frequently diagnosed, and it is very difficult to get a DLD diagnosis for adults via the NHS. You could try calling NHS adult community Speech and Language Therapy services in your area. Also available is an online DLD screener via www.engage-dld.com/sign-up. More information is available at radld.org

[@donottouch9180]

I have to say, the possibility of having this makes me very depressed. Communication is the one thing used to make it in this world and the way I speak could be defective. Its honestly hard to accept.

[@seaside456]

Join the club,I have had this condition for years,no one seems to undestand how you feel,it’s horrible.

[@Rachel-q5j1y]

The way you communicate best may just be different. You may need people to communicate with you in a different way so you can communicate more effectively.

[@laytonpro8655]

Please can someone help me, I’m trying to find out where to find information about getting tested as an adult. I can only find information related to small children, I have been struggling for years, tested for dyslexia 3 times and I don’t have it. I could put about DLD and it describes my issues perfectly but I don’t know how to get a proper diagnosis

[@RADLD]

Apologies for the slow response. I have not looked at comments for a long time. I suggest www.engage-dld.com/ who are developing some online tools (and free).They are based at University of Bath

[@seaside456]

Agree Layton everything is directed to children.

[@theWinterWalker]

Hey, this is about me.

[@seaside456]

Me as well,you are not alone.My problem is Semantics,how about you?

[@RADLD]

There are so many adults with DLD, but most have not been diagnosed. If you want o find out more about DLD go to radld.org

[@Nolie_CaNolie]

Gah…. I have this stupid thing…

[@RADLD]

Help is not always easy to access for adults, but do contact us via radid.org if you need further information

[@808islandchick89]

This is me 😬😬

[@RADLD]

Developmental Language Disorder is far more common than people think, so you are not alone. Just one of the few who recognise it. We have more information available at radld.org