Words My Way - DLD Parent & Carer Guide

Every chat counts, and you’re already doing more than you know. 💬

When your child has Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), everyday moments can bring up big questions. How do you explain DLD to your child? What can you do at home to help words grow? How do you make sure school understands what your child needs? You’re in the right place, and small, simple changes really can make a big difference.

The Words My Way Parent & Carer Guide is a warm, colourful, easy-read guide for families of children with DLD. It explains DLD in clear, positive language, then gives you everyday ways to support talking, listening and new words at home. It also walks you step by step through working with school. It’s designed to be dipped into: pick one idea, try it for a week, and build from there.

WHAT’S INSIDE (14 pages):
🌟 Welcome – how to use the guide, plus the best Words My Way workbook pages to do together
🧠 DLD at a Glance – what DLD is, in clear and positive language
🔍 Spot It at Home – everyday language clues, with a tick-list to share with school or a therapist
💬 Talking at Home – six simple strategies with real example phrases
📚 Word Power at Home – a 4-step way to teach new words, plus quick word games for the car, dinner or a queue
🏫 “How Was School?” – better questions that open up great conversations, and help with homework
💗 Feelings, Friends & Confidence – helping big feelings find their words
🧭 Your Support Route – a clear step-by-step path from class teacher to SENCo, speech and language therapy, SEN Support and EHCPs
🤝 School Meetings – a before, during and after checklist and useful questions to ask
📝 Meeting Notes – a printable page to keep track of every meeting
☕ You Matter Too – looking after yourself, and where to get help
⭐ Top 10 for Talking at Home – a fridge-friendly poster of the key ideas

HOW IT HELPS:
✔ Strengths first: celebrates your child as a bright, capable thinker
✔ Simple, practical ideas that fit into everyday family life
✔ Real example phrases you can use straight away
✔ Explains the school support route in plain English
✔ Helps you go into school meetings prepared and come out with a plan
✔ Pairs with the Words My Way workbook for children and teens

PERFECT FOR:

• Parents and carers of children with DLD, newly diagnosed or not

• Families waiting for a speech and language therapy assessment

• Grandparents, childminders and anyone who spends time with the child

• SENCos, speech and language therapists and family support workers looking for a resource to share with families

WHAT YOU GET:

• 1 printable PDF file, 14 pages, A4 size

• Prints on US Letter too: just choose “Fit to page” in your print settings

• Print the meeting notes and Top 10 poster as many times as you like

• Instant digital download, so no physical item will be posted

PLEASE NOTE
This guide is for information and everyday support. It works alongside advice from a speech and language therapist and is not legal advice. The support route reflects the system in England at the time of writing (2026).
© 2026 The SEN Advocate. For personal and educational use only. Not for resale or redistribution.