What is Developmental Language Disorder? How does this remarkably common neurodevelopmental condition affect not only children's language skills but also their broader wellbeing, ranging from their literacy skills, their sleep, their mental health and emotional abilities? Do children and young people hide their language needs and what is the impact of this "masking"?

We are a team of academics at the University of York. We work on different topics but all share a passion for children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). We want to share our research with local professionals, to help raise awareness of DLD and the wider impact it has on children's outcomes.

Because DLD can impact a wide range of wellbeing-related issues, we believe it is vital to have good DLD knowledge across disciplines and professionals. We would like to invite professionals from a range of education and health backgrounds to our event. All educational professionals (from classroom teachers, to SENCos to TAs) across early years through to secondary are welcome to attend. We also welcome professionals who work in Healthy Child Services, schools nurses and speech and language therapists.

This event is FREE to attend, and is supported by the ESRC Festival of Social Science. We do however ask you to book in advance. Tea, coffee and cake will be provided. Certificates of attendance will be issued after the event for professional development logs.

Please contact hannah.hobson@york.ac.uk with any questions.

Below you can read our draft schedule and list of speakers:

4:30-4:40 - Introductions and Housekeeping (tea, coffee and cakes available on arrival).

4:40-5:00 - What is DLD? An interactive session sorting DLD facts and myths.

5:00 - 5:45 - Flash talks (5-7 minutes on each) covering:

DLD and Mental Health (Dr Melanie Forster)
DLD and Emotion Recognition (Trish Chinzara)
DLD and Camouflaging (Dr Hannah Hobson)
DLD and Literacy (Dr Emma Hayiou-Thomas)
DLD and Sleep (Dr Lisa Henderson)

5:45 - 6:30 - Topic-per-Table. Each presenter mans a table where participants can come, ask questions and discuss the topic more.

6:30-6:50 - Panel report back. Presenters on tables feedback one or two things that came up in discussion with practitioners.

6:50 - Wrap up and Close.

Children with Developmental Language Disorder: Spotlight on Wellbeing