DLD and multilingualism

MultilingualIf you hear or use more than one language in everyday life children can also have DLD. This means they will have problems in all their languages. Are you worried about the language developmentHow children learn to speak and understand language of your multilingual child? Then it is important to have their language skills assessed. If your multilingual child has DLD, you can continue speaking your own language at home. Children with DLD can also learn two or more languages at the same time.

Language development in multilingual children

More and more children speak a language at home that is different from the language they use at school. This language is often called the home language. Most young children have no problem learning two or more languages at the same time: they become bilingual or multilingual. They do need more time to learn sounds, words, and sentences in two languages.

Multilingual children sometimes mix their languages. For example, they may use a Dutch word in a Turkish sentence. This is normal in multilingual development. It is not a sign of DLD.

Does my multilingual child have DLD?

If your child only has a language delay in Dutch, it is not DLD. A multilingual child has usually had less input in Dutch. Therefore, their Dutch may develop a bit slower. Multilingual children typically know fewer Dutch words, and their sentences are shorter. Such delays are usually temporary and due to less exposure to Dutch.

If your child has good language development in their home language, testing for DLD is not necessary. However, it can be a good idea to offer extra help with learning Dutch. Check out these tips on how to help your child learn Dutch (in Dutch).

If your child has a (significant) delay in both languages, it might be DLD. There are useful posters in multiple languages showing the signs of DLD for different ages. If you are unsure about your child’s language development you can talk to your child’s teacher or make an appointment with a speech and language therapist. There are also multilingual speech therapists.

Diagnosing DLD in multilingual children

In the Netherlands, children with DLD can receive speech and language therapy, specialised care, or special education. In order to receive specialised care or special education, DLD must first be diagnosed by a multi-disciplinary team (for instance, a speech and language therapist, an audiologist, and a psychologist). Apart from language skills, your child’s hearing and learning ability will be assessed.

For multilingual children, a multilingual assessment is also needed. Usually, an interpreter is present during this assessment. For a multilingual assessment, a speech and language therapist or linguistA (clinical) linguist is an expert in language development. They can help the speech and language therapist by doing an additional assessment looks at all of your child’s languages. They will ask which languages your child hears and how the home language develops. They will show pictures to see which words your child already knows. They will also try to assess how your child speaks and understands both languages. Often, the speech and language therapist only understands Dutch. In that case, you or the interpreter can translate.

Can my child with DLD become multilingual?

Children with DLD can also learn several languages. They probably need more exposure to learn these languages well.

The home language is often important for good communication and relationships with family members. Usually, parents can provide richer language input using their mother tongue. This is good for language development. Therefore, keep speaking the home language, also with your child with DLD.

What can I do to help my child?

It’s good to talk a lot with your child. Also singing songs, telling stories, or reading books is very good for language development. Use the language you are most comfortable with or the language you enjoy speaking the most.

Advice on raising multilingual children is also helpful for parents of children with DLD. These are common questions by parents and caregivers. Also take a look at these tips  for reading with your child.

More information

For more information in English, check Bilingualism and DLD and DLD and Multilingual Children.

For general information on DLD, check the websites:

• RADLD (UK)
• DLDandMe (UK)
• DLDandMe (US)
• TheDLDProject (Australia)

The UK-based charity Afasic provides a parent helpline.