BE PART OF THE FIRST DLD GLOBAL SUMMIT FOR FAMILIES
Missed the live event? You haven’t missed the Summit.
The DLD Global Summit has now concluded but you haven’t missed out.
So far, we have proudly welcomed over 930 delegates from 34 countries to this world-first event, bringing together families, professionals, and individuals with DLD from across the globe.
The live event may have passed, but every session, panel, and keynote is now available on demand.
👉 Register now and watch at your own pace — anytime, anywhere.
Don’t miss these powerful moments of learning, connection, and advocacy.
Already registered?
Access the DLD Global Summit from Anywhere in the World
Across the DLD Global Summit you will hear real stories, learn practical strategies to use at home and in schools, and connect with others who are walking a similar path. Our hope is that you leave feeling seen, supported and energised to keep advocating for yourself, your child, your students or your clients.
The DLD Global Summit is FREE for people with DLD and their families. For clinicians, educators, researchers, advocates and allies, a small contribution of $49 AUD has helped us keep the event free for more than 670 families and this number is growing daily. Thank you for your support!
DLD GLOBAL SUMMIT Tickets
Choose your access pass to the world’s first Global Summit for Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)!
Clinicians, Educators, Researchers, Advocates & Allies
$49 AUD
3 months on demand access to all content.
DLD GLOBAL SUMMIT Keynotes
Paula Orrego & Dr Karla McGregor
A First-Person Account of DLD
In this powerful keynote, Paula shares her lived experience of Developmental Language Disorder, alongside Dr Karla McGregor who connects Paula’s story to what research tells us about DLD. Together, they offer insight, hope and a deeper understanding of what DLD really means across the lifespan.
The aim of this presentation is to share the lived experiences of an adult with developmental language disorder (DLD) and relate her experience to the evidence base and issues in clinical practice.
Paula Orrego is a speech language pathologist and the lead author of a clinical paper, “A First-Person Account of Developmental Language Disorder,” for the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. Orrego was diagnosed with DLD early in her childhood and used her personal perspective of growing up with DLD for the paper.
Karla K. McGregor is a Senior Scientist at Boys Town National Research Hospital, a Professor Emerita at the University of Iowa, and the Chair of the advocacy group, DLDandMe.org. Dr. McGregor’s scholarly work on developmental language disorder is funded by the National Institutes of Health and she has also benefited from the support of the National Science Foundation and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She is the former Editor for Language of the Journal of Speech-Language-Hearing Research. Her awards include Honors of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Kawana Award for Lifetime Achievement in Publishing.
Presentations
Supporting someone with DLD can be rewarding and exhausting. This session explores why self-care matters for parents and carers, and how understanding your own brain can help you stay regulated, resilient and ready to support your child.
Presenter: Angie Manzke, Social Worker & Psychotherapist.
Simple, realistic tips you can use straight away to support your child’s language at home. This session focuses on everyday routines, connection and small changes that can make a big difference.
Presenters: Camesha Russell & Jinean Cheng from Empowered DLD Parenting and Nazleen Conquest, parent of a child with DLD.
Learn how to advocate for your child and work with schools to put the right supports in place. We’ll share practical ideas for adjustments and building partnerships that help your child succeed.
Presenters: Sue Marr – Moor House Institute, Dr Shaun Ziegenfusz – The DLD Project and Claire Hoyle – AFASIC and parent of a child with DLD.
Learn about the organisation behind global DLD awareness efforts and the impact they are making worldwide. This short presentation highlights how collective action is changing understanding of DLD.
Presenter: Lizbeth Finestack, RADLD International Committee Member
Be the first to hear the official theme for DLD Day 2026. Join us as we look ahead and continue building momentum for global awareness and advocacy.
Presenter: Stephen Parsons, RADLD Chair
Discover how families and people with DLD can become active partners in shaping research that matters to them. This session introduces Engage with Developmental Language Disorder (E-DLD), which is a free global initiative that connects parents, carers, and adults with DLD to meaningful research opportunities and easy-to-understand summaries of new findings.
Presenter: Dr Michelle St Clair, Engage with DLD
Panels
Stories that speak: Why books and representation matter
Authors of books about DLD come together to explore why representation matters. Discover how stories can build understanding, reduce stigma, and help children with DLD see themselves reflected in the world around them.
- Anne Laurie, TRICOAST Education
- Jinean Cheng, Empowered DLD
- Camesha Russell, Empowered DLD
- Kate Kempton, Harry’s Story
- Loren Crisp, Meet DLD
A letter to my younger self: Reflections from adults with DLD
Adults with DLD share honest reflections about growing up with a hidden disability. Through messages to their younger selves, they offer insight, encouragement and powerful perspectives for families and young people today.
- Shelbi Annison, Author & Digital Creator
- Joel Roskin, Marketing Manager
- Juliana Hirn, SLP & PhD candidate
- Frankie Boyle, Artist
PURPLE PARTNER
Fremantle Speech Pathology Services
Based in Western Australia, Fremantle Speech Pathology Services is a dynamic multidisciplinary clinic with over 30 therapists working across speech, language and literacy areas. The clinic promotes a strong culture of collaboration and support across the speech pathology community; it provides practical clinical experience for final year speech pathology students, which affords enormous satisfaction for all involved.
Find out more about Fremantle Speech Pathology Services at their website.
GOLD PARTNERS
SILVER PARTNERS
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Alignment
The work of the DLD Global Summit supports SDGs 3, 4, 8, 10, 16, 17 (and others). Each presentation will be aligned with relevant United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Who is hosting the DLD Global Summit?
The DLD Global Summit is coordinated by The DLD Project, a social enterprise founded to elevate awareness and understanding of DLD.