The DLD DownLoaD

Whether you're a person with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), a parent or carer, a teacher, a speech and language therapist, a researcher, or simply someone who wants to learn more, we all have a part to play in raising awareness and supporting better outcomes.

The theme of this year's DLD Awareness Day is 'Together forDLD', recognising the power of collaboration in helping children, young people and adults with DLD to succeed.

When families, professionals and communities work together, we can help ensure that people with DLD are understood, supported and given every opportunity to thrive.

In this episode, Cat Harris, a Highly Specialist Speech andLanguage Therapist at Moor House School & College, and Dr Lucy Hughes, a Research Speech and Language Therapist at the Moor House Institute, explore practical ways that parents and carers can support their child's language development athome, and discuss how working together can make a meaningful difference to the lives of young people with DLD.

We know that for young people with DLD, transitions can be extremely challenging. So, to help us make sense of it all, we’re joined by two of our exceptional students, Stevie and Lucas, who have lived experience of DLD.  
We also hear from Stephen Womersley, an assistant headteacher at MHSC with responsibility for years 10,11 and 12, who plays an integral role in preparing our students for their transition to college.

In this episode, we explore the impact of Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) on mental health and well-being.

We’re joined by Stuart Lane, an Integrative Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist at Moor House School and College, and Nicki Leeves, a qualified Therapeutic Play Practitioner.

Together, they share their insights and experiences, helping us better understand the challenges faced by young people with DLD and the strategies that can make a meaningful difference.

In this episode, we explore Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) through the eyes of parents who know it first-hand.

We’re joined by Julia Irvine, whose daughter Sophie spent 13 years at Moor House, and Gavin O’Reilly, dad to Alex, who is currently in Year 10. Both Julia and Gavin have been training to run the 2026 London Marathon in support of Moor House - though sadly, Julia has had to defer her place due to injury.

Alongside hearing about their marathon journeys, we delve into what daily life is like for parents raising a child with DLD, sharing honest reflections, challenges, and moments of hope.

In this episode we explore the world of Dyslexia and Developmental Language Disorder with Angela Belliveau, a specialist literacy tutor at Moor House School and College, and Maxwell Letts, a young person living with both DLD and dyslexia, who share what that dual diagnosis means for learning and day-to-day life. 

DLD is a lifelong condition. But despite this, most of the attention, research, and support is focused on children and young people.

In this episode, Sue Marr is joined by Dr. Cécile Larralde, a research associate here at Moor House; Shelbi Annison, an adult with lived experience of DLD; and her manager, Karen Wilmshurst.

Together they explore how adults with DLD navigate the workplace, the challenges they encounter and discuss how employers can provide meaningful support and make appropriate adjustments.

The latest episode of the DLD Download is here, and we’rediving into a topic that’s transforming education: Oracy.

Did you know the UK’s Curriculum and Assessment Reviewrecommends introducing an Oracy Framework alongside reading and writing?

This is a game-changer for children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), and we’re here to unpack why.

Join host Sue Marr and special guest CatherinePass from Voice 21, the national oracy education charity, as they explore what oracy really means, why it’s vital for learning and life, how it supports pupils with DLD and the future of oracy in UK schools.

Welcome to DLD Download, the podcast dedicated to uncovering one of the most common yet least understood communication challenges: Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).

In this episode, we’re excited to welcome two incredible guests: Sophie Franks, an adult with lived experience of DLD, and Dr. Lucy Hughes, a specialist speech and language therapist and researcher at the Moor House Research and Training Institute. Together, they’ve been instrumental in the DLD Questions Project, a pioneering initiative where individuals with DLD helped shape the top priorities for future research.

Join us as we explore their insights and the impact of this groundbreaking work.

In this powerful episode, Ollie Riley shares his journey from Moor House School to the marathon starting line and beyond. Living with Developmental Language Disorder, a condition often hidden and misunderstood, Ollie reflects on the support that helped him grow into a confident communicator, the unexpected path that led him to long‑distance running, and the lessons he’s learned about resilience, identity, and self‑belief. With warmth and honesty, he offers advice to young people with DLD, reminding them that even invisible challenges can be met with strength and determination.

Hosted by the Moor House Research & Training Institute, this Podcast explores Developmental Language Disorder, or DLD, a condition which effects 1 in 14 children, but is still widely misunderstood.

We'll discover what DLD is, how it affects both children and adults, and why awareness matters.