SEND White Paper response – NAPLIC Members we need you!

We would like to gather information on your thoughts, experiences and priorities as NAPLIC members on what you think about the SEND White Paper reforms. We have identified a series of questions (from the 39 questions in the SEND White Paper publication) that we feel are most relevant to the NAPLIC membership.

We will gather everyone’s responses and use these to inform our official joint response to the SEND White Paper review. 

Please complete the questions that you feel are relevant to your experiences and views – we would love to hear from you!

Thank you to all our NAPLIC members

Plus conference bookings now open

On behalf of NAPLIC, I’d like to wish all our members and colleagues a joyful holiday period and a peaceful New Year. Thank you for your continued commitment to raising awareness and supporting children and young people with Developmental Language Disorder.

We’re excited to announce that our annual conference will take place on Saturday 9th May 2026 at The Studio, Birmingham. The theme is: ‘Developmental Language Disorder: Research, Practice and Lived Experience‘.

Expect a full line-up of inspiring speakers and thought-provoking sessions – details coming soon! Bookings are now open, so save the date and join us for what promises to be an engaging and impactful event.

NAPLIC 2025 Conference Videos Now Available

A Message from the NAPLIC Chair – Victoria Wadsworth

Dear colleagues and friends,

I’m delighted to share that the videos from the NAPLIC 2025 Conference – “Developmental Language Disorder (DLD): Research, Practice and Lived Experience” – are now available to purchase.

Held on Saturday 29th March, this year’s conference was a powerful reminder of the value of coming together to share knowledge, lived experiences, and new perspectives. From heartfelt personal stories to thought-provoking research and practical strategies, the day was rich with insight and inspiration.

NAPLIC Conference 2025 Summary

‘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

2025 conference bookings now open

As Chair of NAPLIC, I am excited to remind you about our upcoming annual conference! This year’s event will feature a diverse lineup of expert speakers, interactive workshops, and the latest research in the field of Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).

We warmly invite professionals, educators, researchers, students, and parents/carers of those living with DLD to join us for a day of learning, networking, and collaboration.

Make sure to secure your spot by registering today.

We look forward to seeing you there and working together to advance our understanding and support of DLD.

Victoria Wadsworth, Chair, NAPLIC

A Festive Note from the Chair of NAPLIC

Hello,

The festive season is here, and I just wanted to send some warm wishes your way.

This time of year, is all about reflecting on the amazing things we’ve achieved together in the work we are doing raising awareness and understanding of Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).

The annual conference continues to be a big part of what we invest in, and we are looking forward to welcoming you again next year on Saturday 29th March 2025 in Birmingham.

We continue to develop our NAPLIC CPD opportunities too with specialist teacher, DLD diagnostics and SLCN provision networks. We have launched a Journal club starting in the new year as well.

We have had lots of changes within the organisation this year, with a change in Chair and welcoming lots of new committee members onboard. Together, we’re ready to take on different challenges and continue supporting and developing important work around DLD in the new year.

Thanks for everyone’s ongoing support for NAPLIC at events – helping to organise, facilitate and participate. Its really appreciated and I feel very lucky to work alongside amazing people, doing great things!

I hope this festive season brings you lots of joy, peace, and a chance to relax and recharge.

Happy Holidays!
Victoria
Chair, NAPLIC

Join Us at the NAPLIC Conference 2025!

Date: March 29th, 2025
Venue: The Studio, Birmingham

Discover the latest insights and research on Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) at this year’s NAPLIC Conference. Engage with other peers and professionals and hear powerful stories from those directly impacted by DLD.

Key Speakers:

• Two adults sharing their lived experiences with DLD.
• Jenny Gibson discussing DLD and social, emotional development through theories, concepts, and research.
• Hannah Harvey and parents of children with DLD, exploring diagnostic procedures in the UK, including enabling and obstructive factors.
• Amanda Finer on sharing children’s perspectives of their lives and experiences with DLD.
• Amy Gaunt on how a focus on oracy can support children with DLD.

Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding and connect with the DLD community. Register now and be part of the conversation!

For more information and to register, visit our Conference page.

A message from Stephen Parsons, Outgoing Chair

After 8 years, my time as Chair of NAPLIC is coming to an end. I have enjoyed immensely the opportunities that the role has offered. Working with the wonderful committee and partner organisations we have made great progress. The world of DLD has transformed in that time, and I am very proud that NAPLIC has played an instrumental role in this.

My successor, Victoria Wadsworth has great passion and skills and will undoubtedly lead the organisation ably. I will still be involved as a member of the NAPLIC committee and Chair of RADLD international, and look forward to supporting Victoria.

I would like to thank all members of the committee, past and present who have made my involvement so enjoyable. You really are a motivated and motivating bunch of people. 

Stephen Parsons

Conference summary 2024

Once again, the NAPLIC conference showed the power of getting people in a room together and sharing views, stories and information.

We started the day hearing the lived experience of Ioan Berry, a young man with DLD. Ioan highlighted how curriculum related visits whilst at school helped his learning. Together with strong creative interests outside of school this helped build him into the confident young man he is today. I expect we will be hearing more from Ioan in the future!

Ioan’s Mum Imogen Berry counted up the professionals who have supported her son from Early Years to post-university and it came to the astonishing figure of 42. And even though most professionals were supportive Imogen reported that the only time she could truly relax was when Ioan was at a specialist Language Provision for 3 years as she knew his needs were being met and he was being well supported.

And in a first for NAPLIC, we heard from a sibling of a person with DLD. And Jotham Berry is one great big brother. He has been a protective and guiding presence for Ioan, and interpreted for, advocated for and protected him. This support has extended right through from childhood to dissertation level. Jotham’s research was about the work experiences of people with DLD, so his dedication is profound.

Following the Berry family was the trailblazing Speech and Language Therapist, Rachel Sievers. Rachel has been working with adults with DLD for many years now. Rachel outlined the lack of services and awareness but importantly the impact that diagnosis can have on adults with DLD, including on mental health, social inclusion and self advocacy. And whilst progress has been made, the issues that Rachel outlined in 2005 are still the same issues in 2024. We need to do much more for adults with DLD.

Simone Ojei is a Speech and Language Therapist and lecturer at UCL. Simone outlined the impact of language on social, emotional mental health with a particular focus on those in the youth justice system. In three case studies Simone addressed the complexity, barriers and missing information that are common in this context. Simone advocated for a partnership approach as the most effective method of working.

Henrietta McLachlan and Heather Price from Elklan presented their research into Information Carrying Words (ICW) that came from the Derbyshire Language Scheme. This technique is widely used, but under-researched, and so much needed. The intervention was delivered via trained TAs and proved to have a significant impact. Heather and Henrietta also presented the Higher Level Communication Practitioner which is new scheme being developed, and will have multiple providers.

Vanessa Llyod-Esenkaya addressed the topic of friendships for children with DLD. Whilst professionals may focus on the classroom, children are most interested in friendships, but this is often the area that is neglected. Vanessa advocated for foscussing on ‘activity’ and ‘participation’ as opposed to ‘impairment. She also made a strong case for working with children and young people when conducting research.

Our final presenter was Professor Helen Stringer, talking about the 10 year ‘Northumbria Healthcare and Newcastle  University Universal, Targeted and Specialist (NNUTS) Framework.’ A key component of the approach was working with schools to ensure that support for SLCN becomes embedded across the schools. This allows for much more efficient working long term as staff have higher levels of skills and schools can offer far greater support. We look forward to hearing more when papers are published and resources become available.

Across the day lived experiences, practitioner and academic perspectives all added to an advancement in understanding. Conference delegates were left feeling inspired!

Thank you all who contributed and attended.

Videos of the event will be made available for all attendees shortly. Recordings will also be available via naplic.org.uk/conferences.

We are making progress with DLD

It sometimes feel that we have an impossible hill to climb for Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). Whilst it is true that awareness and services are nowhere near where they need to be I have seen a number of promising signs recently.

1. DLD day was bigger and better than ever last year. There were more events and social media posts. More countries are getting involved, from Greece to Nigeria!
2. In the UK, action for DLD is happening everywhere wth Wales and Northern Ireland, in particular making big gains recently.
3. In October 2023 I spoke at the TES SEND exhibition and 100% of the audience (largely SENCOs, and senior leaders) had heard of DLD. They were keen to find out more about what to do. In my experience it is increasingly common to meet teachers who have heard of DLD. This is a huge change from where we were three years ago. A real indication of the work going on. Well done all.
4. In Facebook groups for families of children with DLD there are increasing numbers of families reporting their children are being diagnosed. Again, a big increase from where we were a few years ago.
5. The DLD vision for the UK has now been launched. This was developed in partnership with people with DLD and families. I think this is a world first and it will help to drive developments further.
6. Researchers are now finding families keen to get involved in their research. I had a recent query from a researcher seeking families to join an advisory group. I posted it to the ‘DLD Together’ Facebook group. The researcher emailed the next day saying she’d been inundated! This is a huge change from a few years ago when researchers often struggled to recruit families to such groups.
7. Neurodiversity is starting to include DLD. Embracing Complexity is a collaboration developing practice and research about people with multiple diagnoses, and now have people with DLD on their advisory board.
8. Adults with DLD are starting to make their voices heard. There are very few of them, and diagnosis in adulthood is nigh on impossible, but we have some amazing advocates.
9. There are exciting service developments also such as the Interactive DLD Bubble developed by the Commit team from Wales. See here for more details. https://www.naplic.org.uk/resource/dld-bubble-toolkit/

We are still waiting for our big breakthrough moment, but momentum is building, and unexpected advances are happening.

*adapted from NAPLIC newsletter article first published in November 2023. Become a member and receive NAPLIC news straight to your inbox.