Birmingham school brings families together to raise awareness of language disorder

A Birmingham school has brought pupils, families and speech and language specialists together to raise awareness of a condition that affects around one in 14 people.

Ninestiles, an Academy, part of Summit Learning Trust, held the event to mark Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) Day, giving families the opportunity to share their experiences and learn more about supporting children with language difficulties.

DLD is a lifelong condition that affects a person's ability to understand and use language. It can affect communication, learning, friendships and everyday activities, but is not always immediately apparent to others.

The event was attended by Jess Phillips MP, alongside school leaders, teaching assistants, parents and carers, and the school's speech and language therapy team.

The afternoon began with an interactive presentation from speech and language specialists, including a quiz exploring the impact of DLD on everyday life.

Parents and carers were also able to connect with one another, share their experiences and discuss the challenges and successes of raising children with the condition.

Teaching assistant Asiyah Aftab led a practical activity inspired by the Word Aware approach, using plasticine and pencils to explore ways to develop children's vocabulary and language skills.

Pupils then joined the session to share their experiences and discuss the strategies that help them communicate, learn and feel confident.

Personalised activities gave children the chance to celebrate their strengths, express their needs and talk about what they were proud of.

The event reflected this year's DLD Day theme, Together for DLD, which highlights the importance of collaboration in creating a more inclusive world for people with the condition.

Alex Hughes, principal at Ninestiles, said: “Every child deserves to feel understood, valued and able to reach their full potential. For learners with Developmental Language Disorder, having the right support in place and being surrounded by people who understand their needs can make a real difference, both in the classroom and beyond.

“Bringing our learners, families and speech and language specialists together has been a valuable opportunity to share experiences, celebrate the strengths of our children and learn from one another.

“We know that working in partnership with families is essential to ensuring our support reflects each child as an individual.”