Developmental language disorder and associated misconceptions : a multi-country perspective

Matić Škorić, Ana (author), Kuvač Kraljević, Jelena (author), Kogovšek, Damjana (author), Novšak Brce, Jerneja (author), Roch, Maja (author)

Although developmental language disorder (DLD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders, it is often burdened by misconceptions since the general public are unaware of the features of this disorder. Insufficient levels of public awareness and knowledge about DLD highlight the need to adopt appropriate public awareness activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential misconceptions associated with the aetiology and recovery of people with DLD in three neighbouring countries - Croatia, Italy, and Slovenia. Additionally, we explored effective ways to promote the spread of accurate information among the public in order to minimise or eliminate false ideas about DLD. To address these specific aims, a public survey was conducted. It was completed by 287 respondents (ages 18 to 60+) with different educational backgrounds (primary and secondary or higher). The results show that the general public in all three countries are misinformed about DLD and hold strong opinions that it is a temporary condition that occurs in childhood, probably as a result of other developmental conditions, and that it will pass either spontaneously or with hard work and proper education. Moreover, the optimal way to increase awareness about DLD was dependent on the age and level of education of the person. Therefore, promoters (ideally researchers and clinicians) must apply specific activities when they target specific groups of people, or use different forms of dissemination activities to reach the broader public, regardless of age and education. The findings reveal a significant lack of knowledge about DLD among the general public and highlight the need for continued awareness campaigns that can target specific groups of people.

• Language: English
• Keywords: developmental language disorder, misconception, awareness, survey, multi-country perspective
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: PEF - Faculty of Education
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2021
• Number of pages: Str. 145-157
• Numbering: Vol. 57, br. 1
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-128586
• UDC: 376.1-056.34
• ISSN on article: 1848-7734
• DOI: 10.31299/hrri.57.1.8
• COBISS.SI-ID: 69745667

Copyright

Podatek o licenci CC BY-NC je naveden na pristajalni strani članka (glej zgoraj izvorni URL). (Datum opombe: 15. 9. 2025)

• Publication date in RUL: 16.08.2021

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Hrvatska revija za rehabilitacijska istraživanja
• Shortened title: Hrvat. rev. rehabil. istraž.
• Publisher: Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Edukacijsko-rehabilitacijski fakultet = University of Zagreb, Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences
• ISSN: 1848-7734
• COBISS.SI-ID: 519535129

Licences

• License: CC BY-NC 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
• Description: A creative commons license that bans commercial use, but the users don’t have to license their derivative works on the same terms.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: jezikovne motnje, jezik