Who are Adults with Developmental Language Disorder? Profiles from the Engage with Developmental Language Disorder...

Area of Science:

• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Speech and Language Pathology
• Adult Psychology

Background:

• Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is a lifelong condition often overlooked in adulthood.
• Previous research highlights negative associations between DLD and adult life factors.
• Limited quantitative data exists on the adult DLD experience, hindering support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the characteristics and mental health profiles of adults with DLD.
• To identify demographic features and language difficulties in adult DLD samples.
• To compare self-reported data from diagnosed adults and those with possible DLD.

Main Methods:

• Data collected from 92 adults via the Engage with Developmental Language Disorder (E-DLD) database.
• Participants completed screening questionnaires, demographic questions, and emotional health measures.
• Analysis included adults with a clinical DLD diagnosis and those scoring high on screening.

Main Results:

• The DLD sample (n=92) comprised predominantly women, with an average age of 37.
• Word-finding and expressive language were common difficulties; pragmatic challenges were higher in diagnosed cases.
• Adults with DLD reported significantly higher anxiety, depression, alexithymia, and lower self-efficacy than controls.

Conclusions:

• Adults with DLD are diverse, with a potential gender disparity in seeking diagnosis.
• High rates of emotional difficulties suggest significant unmet needs in the adult DLD population.
• Many adults with DLD may not have a formal diagnosis, limiting access to support.