International Developmental Language Disorder Research Conference

Prof Marleen Westerveld is an internationally recognised speech-language pathologist and child language researcher whose work is grounded in clinical relevance and evidence-based practice. With more than 30 years of clinical experience and a PhD in child language, she specialises in the assessment and treatment of children with developmental language disorder and communication needs associated with neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and Down syndrome. Her research focuses on spoken and written language development and the functional communication skills that enable children to participate meaningfully at home, school, and in the community. Prof Westerveld has published more than 100 peer‑reviewed works, including 6 book chapters and a book. She holds key leadership roles in IALP (International Association of Communication Sciences and Disorders) and IASCL (international Association for the Study of Child Language), and is the inaugural chair of the Global TALES Network, reflecting her global influence on child language research and clinical innovation. Her work is characterised by a strong commitment to translating research into practical, actionable strategies that enhance clinical decision‑making and optimise outcomes for children and adolescents.