16 October 2026
Friday 16 October is DLD Awareness Day 2026. The theme of this year’s DLD Awareness Day is ‘Together for DLD’. By working together, we can build a better world for all with DLD.
Here’s how the RCSLT is marking DLD Awareness Day this year.
On Wednesday, the RCSLT was pleased to attend the launch of Speech and Language UK’s new report ‘The lost decade’, which highlights the barriers that young people with DLD face. The event at the House of Lords featured an inspiring art exhibition by young people, illustrating their experiences of living with DLD. Two of the young people spoke about why art matters to them, alongside introductions and speeches from Baroness Glenys Thornton and Jen Craft MP.
As part of our continuing focus on innovation and excellence in research and clinical practice, we’ve been working with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to help shape future speech and language therapy research.
We were delighted when the NIHR launched three new funding calls on topics relevant to speech and language therapy, including SLT-led interventions for children and young people with DLD. These funding calls are part of the NIHR’s Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme, which supports research into interventions where early evidence suggests they show promise, but more robust research is needed.
In Wales we have events planned in two schools – one in South Wales and one in North Wales – where we’ll be raising awareness of DLD and the challenges it can present to pupils, especially around exams.
Both events will be attended by Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder, an international organisation dedicated to raising awareness of DLD, as well as local speech and language therapists, school ALN (additional learning needs) co-leads and exam officers, the heads of education from the local authority, and a Senedd member.
Following a presentation on DLD, attendees will discuss how best to support children with DLD, drawing on local knowledge and insights into service provision. Keep an eye on Instagram and our RCSLT Wales LinkedIn page for highlights of the day.
To mark DLD Awareness Day, RCSLT NI will be hosting a four-nation online summit in November to hear directly from young people and adults with DLD about their experiences of examinations and assessment. The summit will provide an opportunity for those with lived experience to share the challenges they face, highlight what has helped, and identify where improvements are needed.
A personal reflection from an SLT with DLD
Read our blog from SLT Lydia Knight, a paediatric SLT working in the NHS who reflects on growing up with DLD. Lydia was diagnosed at the age of three and describes how her experience of DLD has helped to shape her professional journey.
We’ve also updated our factsheet on DLD. This explains what DLD is and gives information on the impact of DLD on education, mental wellbeing and employment. It also explains why early identification, intervention and support matter, and the role of speech and language therapists.
