Children who have developmental language disorder (DLD) tend to experience more emotional difficulties than children who develop typically. These difficulties can include anxiety, depression, aggressive behavior, social problems, and attention issues.
A recent study by researchers from Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) and the University of Barcelona (UB) found that children with DLD have higher rates of severe mental health problems than their peers without the disorder. For example, 20% of children with DLD showed severe anxiety, compared to 8% of children who develop typically. Aggressive behavior was seen in 13% of children with DLD, while only 4% of typically developing children showed this issue. Social problems were reported in 37% of children with DLD, compared to 5% of those without the disorder.
The study, titled Emotional suffering in school-aged children and adolescents with and without developmental language disorder, was published in the open-access journal Acta Psychologica. It was led by Nadia Ahufinger from UOC and Mari Aguilera from UB’s Cognition and Language research group. The researchers explained that children with DLD show a mix of emotional symptoms. These include internalizing symptoms like anxiety and depression, and externalizing symptoms such as disruptive or aggressive behaviors. They emphasized that emotional distress in these children can appear in many ways. This means clinical and educational support should address all these different signs.
Girls’ Emotional Problems Are Often Less Visible
The study looked at 109 children with DLD and 101 children without the disorder. Families, mostly mothers, filled out questionnaires about their children’s symptoms. One key finding was that girls with DLD often have “thought problems.” These include unusual thoughts, constant worries, trouble sleeping, and difficulty focusing. Because these problems are less visible in school settings, they can be missed. This means girls may not get the help they need.
Ahufinger and Aguilera pointed out that girls’ emotional struggles are less obvious compared to boys, who often show more disruptive behavior. They stressed the importance of considering gender when studying children with neurodevelopmental disorders. They said that social stereotypes affect how children show their emotions. Understanding these differences can improve how emotional problems are identified and treated.
Social Problems Increase Risk of Bullying
Language difficulties can cause children with DLD to be misunderstood by their peers. This often leads to social exclusion, fewer close friends, and trouble joining groups. Ahufinger and Aguilera explained that these children are sometimes seen as “different.” This can result in teasing or rejection by other children. Research shows that children with DLD face a higher risk of being bullied at school. Such negative experiences can increase emotional distress and create a cycle of social problems, sadness, and trouble communicating.
Need for Preventive Programs in Care
The study’s findings highlight the need for prevention programs that address the connection between language skills, emotions, and mental health in children with DLD. The authors suggest including emotional learning activities that match each child’s language abilities. For example, teaching emotional vocabulary and helping children express their feelings in different ways can reduce emotional distress and improve communication.
Ahufinger and Aguilera recommend that teachers and families watch for signs like isolation, anxiety, irritability, or disruptive behavior. These may indicate emotional distress, especially in girls whose symptoms may be less obvious. They also suggest that professionals assess emotional health carefully during evaluations. This can help identify children at risk and allow schools and families to provide the right support.
Although children with DLD generally show more emotional difficulties than their peers, not all have a diagnosed emotional disorder. Many manage their emotions well and lead good lives. However, the number of children with serious emotional problems is higher in the DLD group, meaning early detection and support are important.
