Abstract
Background: Conducting research on Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is hard, in part due the lack of public awareness of DLD (Thordardottir et al., 2021). The difficulty in conducting DLD research may contribute to the finding that DLD research is underfunded (Bishop, 2010) and under-researched, given DLD’s prevalence and impact (Bishop, 2010; McGregor, 2020).
Aims: The Engage with Developmental Language Disorder (or E-DLD) project aims to help address the difficulties in recruiting individuals to take part in DLD research.
Method: E-DLD is an international database of individuals and families affected by DLD. E-DLD members are regularly informed about DLD research projects and given the opportunity to take part in these studies.
Results: Currently, 112 parents and 11 individuals (over 16) with DLD have signed up. Average age of the children is 8.8 years, 32% female, 80% are monolingual, 86% have siblings and 75% are from the UK. Eleven non-UK countries are represented. Expressive language problems are experienced by 92% of the children, with 70% experiencing receptive language difficulties and 82% word finding difficulties. Approximately 30% of the children have parent-reported anxiety problems. Initial results from the integrated research study show increased rates of “high/very high” problems on the SDQ in the following domains: emotional, hyperactivity, peer, prosocial and total difficulties.
Conclusion: The E-DLD project holds enormous potential to close the gap in this under-researched field. In addition, our integrated yearly survey has the potential to provide important information about developmental patterns across time in both children and adults with DLD.
Aims: The Engage with Developmental Language Disorder (or E-DLD) project aims to help address the difficulties in recruiting individuals to take part in DLD research.
Method: E-DLD is an international database of individuals and families affected by DLD. E-DLD members are regularly informed about DLD research projects and given the opportunity to take part in these studies.
Results: Currently, 112 parents and 11 individuals (over 16) with DLD have signed up. Average age of the children is 8.8 years, 32% female, 80% are monolingual, 86% have siblings and 75% are from the UK. Eleven non-UK countries are represented. Expressive language problems are experienced by 92% of the children, with 70% experiencing receptive language difficulties and 82% word finding difficulties. Approximately 30% of the children have parent-reported anxiety problems. Initial results from the integrated research study show increased rates of “high/very high” problems on the SDQ in the following domains: emotional, hyperactivity, peer, prosocial and total difficulties.
Conclusion: The E-DLD project holds enormous potential to close the gap in this under-researched field. In addition, our integrated yearly survey has the potential to provide important information about developmental patterns across time in both children and adults with DLD.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - 20 Sept 2021 |
| Event | First International Developmental Language Disorder Research Conference - Duration: 20 Sept 2021 → 22 Sept 2021 |
Conference
| Conference | First International Developmental Language Disorder Research Conference |
|---|---|
| Period | 20/09/21 → 22/09/21 |