International Mother Language Day (February 21)
Highlights the importance of linguistic diversity and multilingualism.
It emphasizes that many students are educated in languages they do not fully understand.
This is particularly critical for students with Language Disorder, as access to learning depends on the linguistic demands of the curriculum.
It calls for collaboration among educators, clinicians, and families to strengthen communicative access.

Aim: Raising awareness and increasing understanding of rare diseases (≤1 in 2,000 people).

Although individually rare, they affect 300 million people worldwide.
They are often associated with genetic, complex, and lifelong medical/developmental conditions.
Children with rare diseases often present communication and learning needs.
This day highlights the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, early identification, and inclusive learning environments.

Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Time: 3:30 p.m. (AEST)
Free participation + access to the recording for all who register.

Presenters:

• Inclusion Specialist Nicole Lindgren
• Speech Pathologist Athena Panagopoulos

Topic: Mathematical learning as a linguistic process, not merely a numerical one.

The webinar covers:

• How language affects mathematical fluency and understanding
• The linguistic components of mathematics (verbal, symbolic, visual)
• The difficulties faced by students with Language Disorder
• Practical support strategies for mathematics instruction

More details are available in English on the webpage.

Since its launch in 2017, Developmental Language Disorder Day (#DLDday) has become a global movement. Each year it grows bigger and better thanks to the support of families, schools, and professionals worldwide.

✨ Highlights from past years:

• More than 40 countries now participate in DLD Day annually.

• In 2023, over 80 landmarks worldwide lit up in purple and yellow to raise awareness.

• In 2024, 108 locations across the globe participated in light-up events.

• The global campaign has helped millions learn about DLD, breaking down stigma and increasing support.

 What is Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)?

Developmental Language Disorder is a condition that makes it hard for children and young people to learn, understand, and use spoken language. These challenges aren’t due to hearing problems or intellectual disability, and they usually continue into adulthood. Around one in 14 children are affected, meaning that in a typical classroom, there are likely to be at least two students with DLD. Although it is more common than autism, it often goes unrecognised and misunderstood.

DLD can affect many areas of life. Children may find it harder to follow instructions, tell stories, learn new words, or keep up with conversations. Over time, these difficulties can impact reading, writing, friendships, and confidence at school. Because the signs are not always obvious, children with DLD are sometimes mistaken for being inattentive, shy, or simply “behind” their peers, when in fact they need targeted language support.

Key DLD Facts:

• It’s a hidden condition: Many children with DLD mask their difficulties, which means their struggles can easily be overlooked.
• It often co-occurs with other conditions: DLD can appear alongside ADHD, dyslexia, or speech sound difficulties, making identification at times more complex.
• It affects wellbeing: Without support, children with DLD are more likely to experience anxiety, low self-esteem, and social difficulties.
• It’s lifelong: DLD doesn’t disappear at graduation. It can shape education, career paths, and relationships.
• It has a genetic link: Research shows DLD can run in families, which helps explain why it often appears across generations.

The good news: With the right teaching strategies, speech and language therapy, and awareness from those around them, children and young people with DLD can thrive. Raising awareness is powerful. The more families, educators, and communities understand DLD, the better equipped they are to support every child’s learning journey.

As a society, deepening our understanding of DLD helps us connect more meaningfully with children and young people who experience it. When we build awareness, we break down barriers and create spaces where every student feels they truly belong. That’s what inclusion looks like.

It’s at the heart of what Language Disorder Australia stands for: 
Understand · Connect · Belong.

See 'Signs of Language Disorder' here!

See 'DLD Student Advocacy Bookmark' here!

See 'Understanding Developmental Language Disorder' here!

See 'Supporting Students with Language Disorder in the Classroom' here!

How You Can Get Involved This Year

• Go purple & yellow – Wear the colours, decorate your school or clinic, or light up a local landmark.

• Spread the word – Share #DLDday messages, resources, and stories on your social channels.

• Educate your community – Host a talk, workshop, or morning tea to help others understand DLD.

• Join the global campaign – Follow and tag #DLDday to connect with the worldwide movement.
  
  Together, we can keep raising awareness and advocating for children and young people with DLD.

Check Out RADLD's resources for DLD Day here!

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month, a time to shine a spotlight on the lived experiences of individuals with dyslexia, share the latest research, and challenge common myths. This year’s conversations are especially timely, with a new Delphi consensus, released in 2025, offering fresh insights into how dyslexia is understood and defined.

Research Spotlight: New Consensus on Dyslexia – Why Delphi Matters

The Delphi method brings experts together to agree on definitions and guidelines when evidence is complex or contested. Dyslexia has updated consensus definitions thanks to this process, helping reduce confusion in schools, clinics, and policy.

Dyslexia: Fresh Insights (2025 Delphi Consensus)

• Reading fluency is central – It’s not just about sounding out words. The new consensus highlights fluency (reading smoothly and quickly) and spelling as key features across ages.

• No IQ mismatch required – Dyslexia can affect people with any level of general ability. The outdated “IQ gap” definition has been dropped.

• It’s dimensional, not all-or-nothing – Dyslexia sits on a continuum. Some people experience mild challenges, others severe. Supports should be flexible and tailored.

• Beyond phonology – While phonological challenges are common, working memory, orthographic skills, and processing speed may also play a role.

 Did You Know? Myths vs Facts About Dyslexia

❌ Myth: Dyslexia is just letter reversals and a visual problem, people "see or write letter backwards"
✔️ Fact: It’s about fluent reading and spelling, not simple swaps.

❌ Myth: Dyslexia and DLD/ADHD can’t co-occur.
✔️ Fact: Co-occurrence is common. These conditions are distinct but often overlap.

❌ Myth: Kids will “catch up if they try harder.”
✔️ Fact: Dyslexia is neurodevelopment, not laziness. Intervention is essential.

❌ Myth: Dyslexia only affects reading and spelling.
✔️ Fact: It can also impact reading comprehension, learning new languages, and even maths.

❌ Myth: Dyslexia and intelligence are linked.
✔️ Fact: Dyslexia occurs across all levels of intelligence.

International Stuttering Awareness Day (ISAD), or International Stammering Awareness Day, is an annual celebration held on October 22. It was first held in the UK and Ireland, in 1998. The day is intended to raise public awareness of the issues faced by millions of people – one percent of the world's population– who stutter, or stammer.

Every year, stuttering communities and associations around the world get together, put on events and campaign to highlight how certain aspects of society can be difficult for people who stammer.

When: November 13–15, 2026
Where: Ancient Olive Grove Conference Center,
University of West Attica

https://www.synedrioselle.gr/

The 16th Panhellenic Speech Therapy Conference is a significant event in the field of speech therapy, 
offering a platform for professionals to share knowledge, research, and advancements in the field. 

The conference is organized by the Panhellenic Society of Speech Therapists, 
which is the first scientific and syndical organization representing Greek speech therapists in both Greece and abroad. 

For more information on the conference and its schedule,
please refer to the official website of the Panhellenic Society of Speech Therapists.

The conference took place March 19–22, 2026, at the School of Philosophy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA).

The conference was addressed to psychologists, educators, educational administrators, and other professionals working in the field of education, as well as PhD candidates, postgraduate, and undergraduate students.

Early registration deadline: February 15, 2026

READ MORE

March 6 has been established by the Standing Liaison Committee of Speech and Language Therapists of the European Union (CPLOL) as European Speech Therapy Day, aiming to inform and raise public awareness about the needs and rights of individuals experiencing communication difficulties, as well as to highlight the work of professionals in the field.

February 14, 2018

Department of Philosophy, Pedagogy and Psychology
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
and the
School of Education, University of Roehampton

Saturday, October 10, 2015

“Therapeutic approaches for individuals with acquired aphasic disorders”

“BabyAffect: Affective and behavioral modeling of early childhood lexicalizations and communicative functions with application to autism spectrum disorders and language delay detection.”