B4591 - Exploring links between Developmental Language Disorder in childhood and later work outcomes at 27 years - 31/07/2024
Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) and Developmental Dyslexia are common conditions in childhood yet have received relatively little research funding when compared to other neurodevelopmental conditions, and this is particularly so for DLD (Bishop, 2010; McGregor, 2020). An important consequence is that, there is limited research on the long-term impact or support needs when these conditions persist into adulthood. DLD and reading difficulties (RD) can affect educational attainment, lifelong learning and constitute hidden disabilities in the workplace. They frequently co-occur (Snowling, Hulme & Nation, 2020), increasing challenges for diagnosis, management and service provision.
This study is part of a broader PhD which will explore occupational health aspects relating to DLD and reading difficulties that impact on functioning in the workplace, through the experiences of young people and adults with DLD.
Although studies have shown that, on average, people with DLD and reading difficulties are likely to have poorer educational attainment and employment prospects, compared to those without DLD, there is currently limited knowledge of the reasons for such outcomes.
This study acknowledges that the training and employment prospects of young adults with DLD depend on their educational attainments. The analyses will therefore investigate educational and adult outcomes.
Bishop, D.V.M. (2010). ‘Which Neurodevelopmental Disorders Get Researched and Why?’, Plos One, 5(11), Plos One [Online]. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0015112
McGregor, K.K. (2020). How We Fail Children With Developmental Language Disorder. Language, Speech and Hearing Services in School, p.1-12. https://pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/2020_LSHSS-20-00003
Snowling, M.J., Hulme, C. & Nation, K. (2020). Defining and understanding dyslexia: past, present and future. Oxford Review of Education, 46(4). https://doi.org/10.1080/03054985.2020.1765756