‘The three days of the year I most look forward to are my birthday, Christmas and the NAPLIC conference,’ was a comment made by one conference delegate. I think there are quite a few people who feel like that. 

Whilst for several years we have had people with lived experience of DLD speak at conferences, this year we also saw lived experience being more prominent in both practitioner and research presentations. 

Abraz Hussain and Tanaya Brady got the day started telling their experiences as young adults with DLD. They both spoke movingly about their journeys and how diagnosis and support has really made a difference, and with their own advocacy allowed them to succeed. And in a first for NAPLIC we had a song!

Dr Hannah Harvey and a lived experience panel of families presented about family experiences of diagnosis of DLD. The striking differences in how the DLD diagnosis was shared by professionals varied from exemplary to gobsmackingly brief. It certainly was illuminating. The panel of families were heavily involved at every step. We look forward to seeing the next steps! 

Amanda Finer talked about listening to children and young people with DLD. She guided us through a number of techniques she uses, as well as challenging the audience to reflect on how well we listen. Young people with DLD didn’t think many of us did so well! We professionals need to work on our listening. 

Professor Jenny Gibson addressed two topics. First of all the idea of viewing DLD through a neurodiversity lens, which fitted rather well with Amanda and Hannah’s presentations. The second part of her presentation outlined some interesting qualitative research into friendships of children with DLD. Children with DLD did not see their communication needs as a barrier, but tended to have more immature concepts of friendship and would benefit from support.

Our final presentation was from Amy Gaunt form Voice 21 addressing oracy and DLD. Oracy is (hopefully) coming to the fore in the educational world, and this is a wonderful opportunity to link up the approach with DLD and oracy. Oracy has so much to offer children with DLD. SLCN professionals need to get on board!

If you missed the conference or were there and just want to relive it, keep an eye out for the recording which will be on sale shortly. 

Written by: Stephen Parsons – NAPLIC Committee