Developmental Language Disorder Awareness Day: “It’s There, But You Can’t See It”

By Simonetta D’Amico

“It’s there, but you can’t see it” is the theme of the 2025 international campaign to promote awareness of Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), led by Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder – RaDLD. The slogan captures the invisible, often misunderstood nature of this condition, which can deeply affect a person’s life despite not being immediately apparent.

What Is Developmental Language Disorder?

Developmental Language Disorder, also referred to in Italian as Disturbo Primario di Linguaggio (DPL), includes a wide range of clinical profiles. Children with DLD show a delay or disorder in one or more areas of language development, such as:

Understanding spoken language
Producing words and sentences
Using grammar correctly
Participating in conversation and narration

Importantly, DLD occurs in the absence of other primary causes, such as cognitive, sensory, motor or affective impairments, or major socio-environmental deprivation. This means that, on the surface, a child may appear to be developing typically, while their language system is actually struggling in ways that are not immediately visible.

A Common Yet Little-Known Condition

The Federazione Logopedisti Italiani (FLI) reminds us that language disorder is both common and still largely unknown to the general public. Recent data show that:

1 in 14 children is affected by a language disorder
This corresponds to approximately 7.6% of the population

Despite these numbers, DLD often goes undetected or is underestimated. Because the signs may be subtle—such as delayed first words, difficulty forming sentences, or challenges in understanding complex instructions—children can be perceived as shy, inattentive, or “not trying hard enough,” rather than as individuals in need of specific support.

Long-Term Impact on Quality of Life

Although DLD typically emerges in early childhood, it does not simply disappear with age. Difficulties with language can persist into adolescence and adulthood, influencing many aspects of everyday life.

Children and young people with language vulnerabilities are at higher risk of emotional, relational and behavioral difficulties, including:

Low self-esteem and frustration
Challenges in making and maintaining friendships
Misunderstandings in social interactions
Increased likelihood of behavioral problems

In school and later at work, the impact can be even more evident. Research clearly indicates that individuals with DLD are up to 12 times more likely than their peers to experience academic failure and/or difficulties in accessing and maintaining employment. Written language, understanding subject content, participating in class discussions, and later managing workplace communication can all be affected.

Why Early Identification and Intervention Matter

Scientific evidence sends a strong and hopeful message:
timely identification, targeted intervention and an adequate environment can make a real difference in the lives of people with DLD.

Key protective factors include:

Early screening and monitoring of language development in preschool and early primary school
Specialized assessment by speech and language therapists and multidisciplinary teams
Individualized intervention plans, based on each child’s specific strengths and difficulties
Supportive educational environments, where teachers are informed and able to adapt communication and teaching strategies
Active involvement of families, who play a crucial role in creating rich, responsive language experiences at home

When these elements are in place, children with DLD are more likely to develop effective communication strategies, succeed in school, and build positive relationships.

Initiatives for Families, Teachers and Educators

To mark the Awareness Day, FLI (Federazione Logopedisti Italiani) and CLASTA have organized a webinar for parents, teachers and educators entitled:

“Children’s Language and Possible Vulnerabilities”

The webinar, held on Friday 17 October at 5:00 p.m., is designed to:

Provide clear, accessible information about typical and atypical language development
Help adults recognize early signs of possible language difficulties
Offer guidance on when and how to seek specialist assessment
Share strategies to support children’s communication in everyday contexts

In addition, on Tuesday 14 October, FLI organized an event titled “Growing, Communicating and Speaking”, with the aim of raising public awareness and promoting a culture that recognizes language as a fundamental right and resource for every child.

An Invisible Difficulty That Deserves a Voice

Developmental Language Disorder may be “invisible” in the eyes of many, but its effects are very real for those who live with it. Giving visibility to DLD means:

Recognizing the efforts and challenges faced by children, adolescents and adults with language difficulties
Supporting families in their journey toward understanding and advocacy
Encouraging schools and communities to create inclusive, communication-friendly environments
Promoting research and clinical practice that can offer increasingly effective interventions

Awareness campaigns such as the one promoted by RaDLD, supported in Italy by FLI and CLASTA, are essential steps towards ensuring that no child’s language difficulties remain unseen, misunderstood or unsupported.

Article by Simonetta D’Amico, Professor, Department of Clinical Applied Sciences and Biotechnology.