With a prevalence of roughly 10% of the population, developmental language disorder (DLD) affects millions. DLD is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulty with learning, understanding, and using language. Children with DLD never fully catch up to peers; their language abilities improve as they get older, but challenges remain in adulthood. Given how crucial spoken language is to communication and learning, people with DLD are at high risk for social and academic struggles, and they have a tough time with reading. As adolescents and adults, they are at higher risk for anxiety and depression than their peers. They are more likely than peers to exit the educational system early and to go without employment for extended periods. At Boys Town National Research Hospital, a new group of scientists has come together to generate knowledge and enhance understanding of DLD and to develop effective clinical interventions for individuals with DLD. This group is the only research center in the United States that is wholly focused on DLD. In this webinar, we will explain the nature, causes, and consequences of DLD and look more deeply into the ways that DLD limits reading success.

About the Presenter

Karla McGregor is a Senior Research Scientist and the Senior Director of the Center for Childhood Deafness, Language and Learning at Boys Town National Research Hospital. She is also a Professor Emerita at the University of Iowa. Dr. McGregor was trained as a speech-language pathologist, and she is board certificatied in child language. Her research, funded by the National Institutes of Health, focuses on developmental language disorder (DLD). She is also a passionate advocate who works to spread awareness and understanding of DLD via DLDandMe.org.