Best Practices for Supporting Social–Emotional Development in Children With Developmental Language Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Purpose: Children with developmental language disorder (DLD) and/or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at an elevated risk of social–emotional difficulties, including low self-esteem and anxiety, related to school achievement and peer interactions. This clinical focus article provides best practice guidelines, shaped by a neurodiversity-affirming lens, to support children's social–emotional development. Method: The guidelines were developed through interprofessional discussions among the authors, which included three communication specialists and two mental health specialists, and supported by review of the scholarly literature on neurodiversity, DLD, and ADHD, with a focus on first-person perspectives of children and adults with these conditions and their parents and teachers. Results: The practice guidelines include recommendations for the interprofessional assessment of DLD and/or ADHD and suggestions for neurodiversity-affirming supports to promote acceptance of students with DLD and/or ADHD by teachers and peers. Intervention recommendations for social communication skills, self-regulation supports, and self-advocacy are described. A hypothetical case study is provided to illustrate implementation of the recommended practices. Conclusions: First-person and family perspectives studies provide compelling evidence that having DLD and/or ADHD, coupled with the negative reactions of others to children's differences related to these conditions, have adverse effects on children's social–emotional development. Speech-language pathologists and their interprofessional team members have an important role to play in preventing these effects by providing social–emotional supports for children with DLD and/or ADHD.