Designing a cognitive behavioural programme adapted to meet the socio-emotional needs of children with developmental language disorder

Despite international findings that around 8% of children begin school with a condition marked by low levels of language proficiency in the absence of biomedical conditions, known as developmental language disorder (DLD), little is known about how their socio-emotional needs can be met. To address this, a conceptual model illustrating pathways from low language proficiency to poor socio-emotional outcomes is first presented. The design of how a novel cognitive behavioural skills building programme adapted for DLD is then described. Psychoeducation, relaxation, exposure and cognitive techniques were adapted, with readability estimates of materials ranging from 6 to 12 years. The model and programme shown here may assist practitioners and researchers in their efforts to meet the socio-emotional needs of individuals with DLD.