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'Better Conversations with Developmental Language Disorder': Designing a Novel Intervention for School-Aged Children and Their Main Carers

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Title: 'Better Conversations with Developmental Language Disorder': Designing a Novel Intervention for School-Aged Children and Their Main Carers
Language: English
Authors: Lucy Hughes, Liz Croot, Caroline Newton, Wendy Best
Source: International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders. 2026 61(3).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 16
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Developmental Disabilities, Language Impairments, Intervention, Speech Improvement, Children, Material Development, Expressive Language, Receptive Language, Interpersonal Communication
DOI: 10.1111/1460-6984.70234
ISSN: 1368-2822
1460-6984
Abstract: Background: Children with developmental language disorder (DLD) experience difficulties with receptive and expressive language, which can affect their participation in everyday interactions with others. This, in turn, can impact their ongoing language development and ability to form and maintain friendships. This paper describes the development of a complex intervention, 'Better Conversations with Developmental Language Disorder' (BCDLD), designed with and for school-aged children with DLD and their main carers. Methods: Medical Research Council guidelines for developing complex interventions were used to inform the design and early-stage evaluation of BCDLD, including consultation with key interest holders at each stage of the project; appraisal of relevant literature and articulation of programme theory. Results: A review of the evidence for communication partner training revealed a gap in the research and clinical practice for school-aged children with DLD. Research with other clinical groups suggests potential for enhancing everyday interactions through work with conversation partners. Theory underpinning the proposed intervention, which was identified from the review, included social interactionist and constructivist accounts of child language acquisition, behaviour change theory and applied conversation analysis. Children and parents with experience of living with DLD identified barriers to their everyday conversation to inform intervention content and delivery. Speech and Language Therapists gave feedback on the draft intervention protocol and advised on how BCDLD could be implemented in clinical practice. Conclusion: This paper reports the development of a theoretically-informed, conversation-based intervention for children with DLD and their conversation partners, which aims to improve the content and flow of their everyday interactions, whilst supporting children's language development. Synthesising knowledge from the literature, input from children living with DLD, parents and professionals in the field enabled the design and early-stage evaluation of BCDLD.
Abstractor: As Provided
Notes: https://osf.io/pwv6f
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1506854
Database: ERIC
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  Data: 'Better Conversations with Developmental Language Disorder': Designing a Novel Intervention for School-Aged Children and Their Main Carers
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lucy+Hughes%22">Lucy Hughes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Liz+Croot%22">Liz Croot</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Caroline+Newton%22">Caroline Newton</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Wendy+Best%22">Wendy Best</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22International+Journal+of+Language+%26+Communication+Disorders%22"><i>International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders</i></searchLink>. 2026 61(3).
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 16
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Developmental+Disabilities%22">Developmental Disabilities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Language+Impairments%22">Language Impairments</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Intervention%22">Intervention</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Speech+Improvement%22">Speech Improvement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Children%22">Children</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Material+Development%22">Material Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Expressive+Language%22">Expressive Language</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Receptive+Language%22">Receptive Language</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interpersonal+Communication%22">Interpersonal Communication</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1111/1460-6984.70234
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  Data: 1368-2822<br />1460-6984
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Background: Children with developmental language disorder (DLD) experience difficulties with receptive and expressive language, which can affect their participation in everyday interactions with others. This, in turn, can impact their ongoing language development and ability to form and maintain friendships. This paper describes the development of a complex intervention, 'Better Conversations with Developmental Language Disorder' (BCDLD), designed with and for school-aged children with DLD and their main carers. Methods: Medical Research Council guidelines for developing complex interventions were used to inform the design and early-stage evaluation of BCDLD, including consultation with key interest holders at each stage of the project; appraisal of relevant literature and articulation of programme theory. Results: A review of the evidence for communication partner training revealed a gap in the research and clinical practice for school-aged children with DLD. Research with other clinical groups suggests potential for enhancing everyday interactions through work with conversation partners. Theory underpinning the proposed intervention, which was identified from the review, included social interactionist and constructivist accounts of child language acquisition, behaviour change theory and applied conversation analysis. Children and parents with experience of living with DLD identified barriers to their everyday conversation to inform intervention content and delivery. Speech and Language Therapists gave feedback on the draft intervention protocol and advised on how BCDLD could be implemented in clinical practice. Conclusion: This paper reports the development of a theoretically-informed, conversation-based intervention for children with DLD and their conversation partners, which aims to improve the content and flow of their everyday interactions, whilst supporting children's language development. Synthesising knowledge from the literature, input from children living with DLD, parents and professionals in the field enabled the design and early-stage evaluation of BCDLD.
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  Data: 2026
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      – SubjectFull: Language Impairments
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      – SubjectFull: Material Development
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      – SubjectFull: Expressive Language
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      – SubjectFull: Receptive Language
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      – SubjectFull: Interpersonal Communication
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