Quality of Life in Children with Developmental Language Disorder

Background/Objectives: Developmental language disorder (DLD) has widespread and persistent consequences for children's development, extending beyond language. Quality of life (QoL) can also be affected, potentially related to difficulties with cognition (e.g., language ability), behaviour (e.g., social-emotional functioning), and/or environmental factors (e.g., multilingualism). This study set out to characterise changes in the QoL of children with DLD and to identify related factors. Methods: Data were collected at 4 and 9 years from children who had attended early language intervention groups before age 4. Parents completed online questionnaires, including the KINDL for QoL. The KINDL measures QoL on six domains: physical well-being, emotional well-being, self-esteem, family well-being, social well-being, and school functioning. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used to assess the relationship between change in QoL and cognitive, behavioural, and environmental factors. Results: At both time points, the QoL of children with DLD was reduced compared to the normative group on all domains except self-esteem and family. Emotional well-being and self-esteem scores were significantly lower at 9 years compared to 4 years. Peer problems and multilingualism emerged as influential factors regarding changes in QoL over time. Conclusions: The QoL of children with DLD is vulnerable between age 4 and 9. Overall, QoL might deteriorate in this period, specifically emotional well-being. Early peer problems and multilingual status influence the changes observed in different aspects of QoL, although these effects should be interpreted with caution.