DLD voices: Setting the research agenda for developmental language disorder in Australia

Developmental language disorder is associated with adverse social, academic, and mental health outcomes. The developmental language disorder community are the end-point consumers of research, as such, their input into research priorities is invaluable. We took a bottom-up approach to identify and prioritise the research needs of consumers with lived experience of developmental language disorder, their families, and supporters.

This study employed Q methodology to systematically and inclusively identify and sort participants' research priorities. Anonymous interest-holders (n = 82) were recruited to develop a Q-set of research priorities. Research statements were refined from this Q-set by the consumer advisory group who also drew on findings of a literature review. Finally, results from a nationally distributed Q-sort (n = 35) were analysed within each participant group (lived experience and professionals) using Q-Method software.

Two main viewpoints on future developmental language disorder research priorities in Australia were identified: 'Environmental support and enabling participation' and 'Building the evidence-base'.

Community and professional interest-holders prioritise research for developmental language disorder which focuses on building communicative environments of people who have developmental language disorder and enriching the evidence-base for accurate diagnosis and effective interventions. This work informs the future research agenda for developmental language disorder in Australia and internationally.