International Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) Research Conference | SEP 19-21 2022
IDLDRC is an annual international event held virtually from 19-21 September, 2022 (#IDLDRC), providing a platform to share research about Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).
Did you miss IDLDRC 2022? The LIVE event has now passed, however all sessions were recorded so you can access the latest DLD research online, 24/7 from anywhere in the world! This includes 40+ pre-recorded research presentations!
The conference addresses the roadblocks to sharing the learning and insights that sit in the hands of a few, but could potentially change the lives of people with DLD. Profits from IDLDRC go towards a DLD Research Grant.
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DLD from school years through to adulthood: the invisible condition
Abstract
Although things have improved in the past few years, developmental language disorder (DLD) still has a very low public profile when compared to other neurodevelopmental condition such as autism and dyslexia. I’ll discuss some possible reasons for this. These include the different professional groups involved with different conditions, and different research funding bodies.
In addition, while DLD in preschoolers is generally obvious to others, language problems can go unnoticed in older children and adults. I will discuss how consistent terminology can help with recognition of DLD, while noting that the potential drawbacks of diagnosis need to be balanced against benefits.
Bio
Dorothy Bishop recently retired as Professor of Developmental Neuropsychology at the University of Oxford, where she headed an ERC-funded programme of research. She is an honorary fellow of St John’s College Oxford, and a Fellow of the Royal Society, the British Academy and the Academy of Medical Sciences. She has published substantial books and papers on the nature and causes of developmental language disorder, focusing on psycholinguistics, neurobiology and genetics. Beyond psychology, she is active in the field of open science and research reproducibility. She remains active on social media, with a popular blog, Bishopblog, and she tweets as @deevybee.
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Rethinking Bilingual Development and Disorder
Abstract
Worldwide, a large number of children are bilingual or in the process of being bilingual.. As such, patterns of language acquisition can be highly variable. An educational challenge in this population how to distinguish between typical and atypical performance in L1 and L2 use. Comparison to of bilingual children’s language to monolinguals may contribute to high rates of misidentification of DLD. On the other hand, assumptions of a “normal” bilingual delay may contribute to documented delays in identification and intervention. In this talk I will present data examining 1) whether bilingual children are at elevated risk for developmental language disorder (DLD); 2) how we can combine L1 and L2 performance to increase diagnostic accuracy for determining DLD in bilinguals; and 3) the nature of the “bilingual delay” using a person-based vs. a variable-based approach.
Learning Objectives:
1. Participants will be able to identify key markers of DLD in bilingual children
2. Participants will be able to describe relationship between language exposure and risk for DLD.
3. Participants will define the nature of the bilingual delay.
Key References:
Hoff, E., & Core, C. (2015, May). What clinicians need to know about bilingual development. In Seminars in speech and language (Vol. 36, No. 2, p. 89). NIH Public Access.
Peña, E.D., Bedore, L.M., Lugo-Neris, M., & Albudoor, N.E. (2020). Identifying Developmental Language Disorder in School age Bilinguals: Semantics, Grammar, and Narratives. Language Assessment Quarterly.
Peña, E.D., Bedore, L.M., Shivabasappa, P. & Niu, L. (2018). Effects of Divided Input on Bilingual Children with Language Impairment. International Journal of Bilingualism. 1-17.
Bio
Elizabeth Peña is Associate Dean of Faculty Development & Diversity and Professor at the University of California, Irvine School of Education. She is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist and is a Fellow of the American Speech Language Hearing Association. Her research focuses differentiating language impairment from language difference in bilingual children. This work examines children’s lexical-semantic, morphosyntactic, and narrative performance across both their language. She is a co-author on the Bilingual English Spanish Assessment (BESA) designed to identify speech and language impairments in children who have exposure to Spanish and English.
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Direct interventions for under-fives: 10 reasons why they help families and our profession
Abstract
This TED-Style talk will open Day 3 of the International Developmental Language Disorder Research Conference with a reflective commentary about the direction of intervention for children under 5.
Children under 5 with speech, language and communication needs can be tricky to diagnose and their growth trajectories are not set in stone. In this keynote, Dr Nat Munro will offer 10 reasons why direct interventions help families and the SLP profession. Drawing on the research she has conducted with her PhD students and collaborators, the keynote will have a particular focus on late talkers, family engagement research and future directions for paediatric SLP research and practice. The talk aims to inspire and promote an active Q&A session!
Bio
Dr Munro is a certified practising speech pathologist and Associate Professor in child language development and disorders. Nat works at the Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Nat has a passion for intervention and improving communication outcomes for children and young people who are at-risk or diagnosed with neurodevelopmental conditions such as Developmental Language Disorder, Autism, and ADHD. She has led and conducted universal and targeted intervention research, national survey research, systematic reviews and meta-analyses as well as empirical investigations relating to children’s early vocabulary and pragmatic language skills. Nat is the current co-editor of the International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. She has three children that span Gen Z and Gen Alpha, a Cavoodle called Evie and a budgerigar called Benji.
Access IDLDRC from Anywhere in the World
IDLDRC presentations are available as recorded presentations hosted on our virtual online learning platform. IDLDRC 2022 will feature three outstanding keynotes and more than 45 research presentations.Â
IDLDRC is delivered virtually featuring asynchronous and synchronous events. All presentations are recorded so they can be viewed any time during your access period to IDLDRC. A ticket to IDLDRC is $60 AUD for 1 month access or $90 AUD for 12 months access.

2022 IDLDRC SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSOR
Black Sheep Press
Resources for teachers and speech and language pathologists working with children with Developmental Language Disorder and speech, language & communication needs (SLCN), that’s our business.
Cost-effective, attractive resources, assessments and Apps, which are devised by experts and loved by children. Visit the Black Sheep Press website to learn more.
GOLD SPONSOR
The Informed SLP
The Informed SLP is a team of clinicians and scientists dedicated to helping you stay up-to-date with our field’s evidence. They read all the newly published research across the SLP scope each month (that’s hundreds of research papers!), then distill the clinically actionable information into their monthly digest of easy-to-understand research reviews. Join the 13,000+ SLPs who rely on The Informed SLP to know what works and grow their expertise at www.TheInformedSLP.com.
GOLD SPONSOR
Banter Speech & Language
Introducing BantersSpeechPreps.com.Â
Build better speech, oral language, reading, writing, and fluency sessions at warp speed. Take the pain out of planning so you can focus your time and energy on the students in front of you. Find resources by goal, or search in developmental sequence. Collate customised learning materials and home programs. Easy-to-use, practical, and inexpensive digital resources. Written by speech pathologists with a special (and personal) interest in Developmental Language Disorder to help other speech pathologists, teachers and families support students – face-to-face and via distance learning – with their communication adventures.
Check out BantersSpeechPreps.comÂ
KEYNOTE SPONSOR
(PROFESSOR DOROTHY BISHOP)
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.
Visit the Fremantle Speech Pathology Services website for more information.
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS - CLOSED
The call for abstracts for IDLDRC 2022 is CLOSED.  Abstract acceptance emails were sent on Tuesday 12 July 2022. If you have any questions regarding your submission please email connect@thedldproject.com. Â
IDLDRC Research Grant - Funding Research Into DLD
The best part? Profits from IDLDRC go to funding a DLD RESEARCH GRANT to further research into Developmental Language Disorder! The 2022 research grant was for $15,000 AUD and applications are now CLOSED. The successful grant recipient will be announced shortly in August 2022.
IDLDRC TIMELINE 2022
- Wednesday 11 May 2022 | Abstract Submissions Open
- Monday 20 June 2022 | Abstract Submissions Close
- Tuesday 12 July 2022 | Abstract Outcomes Announced
- Friday 5 August 2022 | Ticket Sales Open
- Tuesday 23 August 2022 | Pre-recorded Presentations Due
- 19-21 September 2022 | International DLD Research Conference
Become a Sponsor of IDLDRC 2022
There are different levels of sponsorship packages for IDLDRC 2022 and recognition will be given to each sponsor at online events, in pre-conference marketing materials, and on thedldproject.com. This is a great opportunity to highlight your business, program or institution in front of conference participants, researchers, educators, people with DLD and their families.
IDLDRC provides an excellent opportunity for your organisation to:
- Gain exposure to national, regional and international delegates;
- Maintain a high profile with your target market;
- Demonstrate your involvement, commitment and support of people with DLD and those who empower them;
- Launch new products and services.
Majority World Countries & Developing Communities Access Grants for IDLDRC 2022
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Alignment
The work of the International Developmental Language Disorder Research Conference 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 IDLDRC 2022?

The International DLD Research Conference is coordinated by The DLD Project in Australia. We are an impact focussed social enterprise founded to elevate awareness and understanding of DLD. This is an exciting opportunity to present and engage with current research in a virtual space.