- Wednesday 10 September 2025
- 7:00pm-8:30pm AEST
- Online Live Tutorial | The recording will be made available post event with 12 months access.
- Early bird $39 (Before 27th August 2025) | Full price $49 or access the first 3 tutorials in the Practical Skill Series for just $100. Find out more HERE.
Live Event + 12 month Recording Access
overview
This webinar empowers speech pathologists to confidently disclose a diagnosis of Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) to families using evidence-based, best practice strategies. Despite being a core part of our professional role, many speech pathologists receive little to no formal training in how to communicate a diagnosis in ways that families can understand, process, and act upon. Drawing on the SPICES model (Tighe & Namazi, 2022), this practical tutorial provides a clear, structured framework to guide diagnostic disclosure, enabling speech pathologists to navigate these discussions with empathy, clarity, and confidence. Participants will gain practical tools to support family understanding, manage emotional responses, and foster collaborative, trusting relationships from the very first conversation. While the tutorial is specific to DLD, these skills can be applied when working with anyone who has a received a diagnosis of a communication condition.
This tutorial will be hosted online using Zoom with the recording shared with delegates/ Please book as soon as you’ve decided to avoid missing out!
Learning Objectives
Following completion of the tutorial, clinicians will:
- Understand the importance of clear and intentional diagnostic disclosure for DLD.
- Learn how to implement the SPICES model to structure disclosure conversations.
- Gain practical strategies to manage caregiver emotions and prevent information overload.
- Be able to provide families with resources to support ongoing understanding and advocacy.
- Apply these skills to real-world clinical scenarios through case-based discussion.
Participants
This workshop has been developed for speech pathologists. However, clinical psychologists and speech pathology students may also consider attending.
Please email training@TheDLDProject.com with any questions.
FACILITATOR
Dr Shaun ziegenfusz
Dr Shaun Ziegenfusz is a speech pathologist and researcher with more than 15 years’ experience working with people with DLD and their families. He completed his Doctor of Philosophy studies at Griffith University where he investigated the education needs and supports for school-aged students with DLD from the perspective of key stakeholders.
Shaun is also a volunteer member of the Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder (RADLD) International Committee. He is passionate about blending clinical experience and research to support students, families, professionals and schools.
HOW YOUR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING INVESTMENT HELPS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
The DLD Project is a self-funded social enterprise. We receive no government funding, ongoing grants, or donations to support our work.
By choosing to complete your professional learning with us, you directly help fund the development of free resources and training for families, our advocacy work with government, and initiatives like the Talking DLD Podcast. This allows us to share evidence-based information that is accessible regardless of location or financial circumstance.
Thank you for learning with us and for supporting a community committed to empowering people with Developmental Language Disorder.
Disclosing a Diagnosis to Families
