22. Developmental Language Disorder: The Lifelong Challenges SLPs Must Tackle Early

Children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) face a steep mountain of challenges—from academic struggles to social-emotional risks and long-term vocational outcomes. Research shows they are six times more likely to struggle with reading, spelling, and anxiety, and even more likely to face unemployment and mental health issues as adults.In this episode, we explore the four skills every SLP must prioritize to change the trajectory for children with DLD:Internal locus of controlExecutive function skillsStorytelling and narrative abilityEmergent literacy and writingThis isn’t about the “small stuff.” It’s about packing the backpack with lifelong skills that truly change lives.Children with DLD need therapy that goes beyond vocabulary lists and one-step directions—they need lifelong skill-building. Inside the SIS Membership, you’ll find weekly literacy-based, movement-rich activities that support executive function, storytelling, and emergent literacy. Plus, you’ll receive a Google Slides deck every week for parents, large groups, and teletherapy sessions—so you can empower kids with the skills that matter most.👉 Join SIS today and help children climb their mountain with the right tools in their backpack: https://www.kellyvess.com/sis