10 September 2025
The RCSLT’s Research Priority Setting Partnership for Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) has completed Phase II, resulting in a top 10 list of key research questions.
This phase updated the priorities identified in Phase I and developed a set of specific research questions. The work was shaped by the views of people with DLD, their families and carers, and professionals across health, education, and youth justice.
While awareness of DLD has grown, the condition remains under-researched and under-funded. Many children and adults with DLD still feel their needs are misunderstood or overlooked. Though early intervention is vital, international evidence shows that DLD often persists into adulthood, yet research and services for older age groups remain limited.
This collaborative project brought together individuals with DLD, parents, carers, speech and language therapists, and other stakeholders to identify the research areas that matter most. A final workshop over the summer identified the top 10 questions. Specific questions around education, the diagnostic process, DLD interventions, employment and social care, and social and emotional well-being were amongst the top 10.
These priorities must now be used to guide the research agenda and help shape future services that better reflect the needs of people with DLD.
This marks the start of a wider movement, one that depends on collaboration between researchers, clinicians, educators, and the DLD community to improve outcomes across all stages of life.
Read the full report to explore the top 10 research questions and learn how you can support the next steps, whether by sharing the priorities, supporting research, or applying new evidence in practice.
Find out more about the partnership and access resources including an easy read version of the report and a summary of the top 20 questions.
