For many parents, teachers, and members of the DLD community, navigating learning differences can feel overwhelming, especially when children don’t fit neatly into one category. Two conditions that are often discussed separately, but frequently occur together, are dyslexia and Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).
Understanding how they relate, how they differ, and how they impact everyday life can make a powerful difference in how we support children and young people.
Are Dyslexia and DLD the Same?
In short, no. Dyslexia and DLD are distinct neurodevelopmental conditions. However, they often overlap, and it’s quite common to have both.
Research suggests:
- Around 55% of children with dyslexia also meet criteria for DLD
- Around 51% of children with DLD also meet criteria for dyslexia
This means many children are navigating both language and literacy challenges at the same time, often without that full picture being recognised.
What is DLD?
Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is a hidden but common life-long condition that affects how you use and/or understand language.
Someone with DLD might:
- Struggle to understand instructions
- Find it hard to learn and remember new vocabulary
- Have difficulty forming sentences or using grammar correctly
- Mix up word order
- Find it challenging to answer “how” and “why” questions
- Experience difficulties with conversation and social communication
DLD is often described as a hidden difficulty. It may not be immediately obvious, but it has a deep impact on learning and daily life.
What is Dyslexia?
According to the British Dyslexia Association “dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty which primarily affects reading and writing skills. However, it does not only affect these skills. Dyslexia is actually about information processing.”
Children with dyslexia may:
- Struggle with phonics (linking sounds to letters)
- Have difficulty reading fluently
- Read more slowly and with greater effort
- Find spelling challenging
- Need extra time to process both written and spoken information
- Struggle with organisational skills
Where Do They Overlap?
While DLD affects spoken language and dyslexia affects written language, the two are closely connected.
When someone has both, learning can become especially demanding.
The “double load” can make reading, writing, and even listening feel exhausting.
Some shared challenges include:
- Difficulties with vocabulary
- Slower processing
- Working memory demands
- Reduced confidence and increased frustration
It’s important to recognise that these people are often working twice as hard just to keep up.
The Impact on Everyday Life
For children and young people with dyslexia, DLD, or both, everyday learning can feel like an uphill climb.
They may experience:
- Fatigue from the effort of processing language and text
- Frustration when they can’t express themselves or understand others
- Lower confidence, especially in classroom settings
- Challenges keeping up with peers academically
And yet, many of these children show incredible resilience, determination, and courage.
Why Early Identification Matters
One of the biggest challenges, especially with DLD, is that it can go unnoticed.
Sometimes early language difficulties are missed and concerns only arise later when reading and writing become difficult. If a child isn’t making expected progress, it is always worth asking:
“Could it be language?”
Trusting instincts and seeking support early can make a lasting difference.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to support. Every child has a unique profile. However, some strategies are consistently helpful.
- Build Vocabulary Explicitly
Vocabulary is foundational for both language and literacy.
- Teach new words explicitly
- Use mind maps to make connections
- Break new or tricky words down into smaller parts to help pupils understand them
- Use Multi-Sensory Approaches
Children benefit from learning that engages multiple senses.
- Visual supports
- Actions and gestures
- Use tactile techniques e.g. the use of magnetic letters and tiles, coins, dominoes, sand, raised line paper, play dough, foam and finger paints.
Repetition and active engagement help learning “stick.”
- Allow Extra Processing Time
Children may need longer to:
- Understand questions
- Form responses
- Process what they’ve read
Giving time and not rushing can make a huge difference.
- Support Expression of Ideas
Sometimes the barrier isn’t thinking, it’s sharing or recording. Allow alternative ways to show understanding and express ideas. These will depend on the individual child’s needs but could include:
- Offering a scribe
- Using speech-to-text tools
- Using signing and/or cued articulation
- Exploring Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices
- Using the SHAPE CODINGTM System
- Create a Safe, Supportive Environment
Children thrive when they feel:
- Understood
- Listened to
- Not judged
- Encouraged and praised
Avoid speaking over them. Give them space to express themselves. Their voice matters.
A Final Thought
Children with dyslexia, DLD, or both are not defined by their difficulties. They are learners navigating a world that isn’t always designed with them in mind.
With the right understanding and support, they can:
- Build confidence
- Access learning
- Find their strengths
- Thrive in their own way
Above all, it’s important to recognise not just what they find difficult, but the effort, persistence, and resilience they show every single day.
If you’re a parent or teacher, your role is vital. Listening, noticing, and advocating can change a child’s entire experience of learning. The most effective support comes from collaboration.
For more information listen to our podcast on the dual diagnosis of DLD and Dyslexia , where Specialist Teacher and Trainer, Sue Marr chats to Maxwell, a student with lived experience of living with both conditions, and Highly Specialist Literacy Tutor, Teacher and Speech & Language Therapist, Angela Belliveau from Moor House School & College.
We also have a webinar aimed at teachers called “Supporting Literacy in the Classroom” which dives deeper into the challenges and strategies available. Click here for more information.
Or visit our resources pages for more information about spotting the signs of DLD.