A First-Person Account of Developmental Language Disorder

Paula M. Orrego, Karla K. McGregor, Stella M. Reyes

The aim of this study is to share the lived experiences of an adult with developmental language disorder (DLD) and relate her experience to the evidence base and issues in clinical practice. We co-wrote a first-person account grounded in the research literature. We organized the account into six main sections: (a) the early signs of DLD; (b) diagnosis; (c) treatment; (d) the impact of DLD on family relationships, social-emotional health, and academic performance; and (e) considerations for practicing speech-language pathologists. We close with (f) the first author's current perspective on life with DLD. The first author was diagnosed with moderate-to-severe DLD in early childhood, and she continues to exhibit subtle and occasional symptoms of DLD as an adult. At specific points in development, her family relationships were disrupted and her social, emotional, and academic functions were disabled, particularly in the school context. Supportive adults, especially her mother and her speech-language pathologist, helped lessen these impacts. DLD and its consequences also positively influenced her worldview and professional choices. The precise nature of her DLD and her experiences around the disorder will not be true of everyone with DLD. Nevertheless, the broad themes that emerge from her narrative are reflected in the evidence base and thus are likely applicable to many individuals with DLD or other neurodevelopmental conditions.