Developmental Language Disorders among Juvenile Offenders with a Particular Emphasis on Psychological Problems

Juvenile offenders with Developmental Language Disorders often lack the right words to express their thoughts and feelings, pose serious social challenges and their behaviour is often misinterpreted, they are seen as defiant or low commitment persons. The challenges in this area are wide-ranging and, in the long term, can also make it difficult for them to integrate successfully into society after serving their sentence. Dealing with the problem can help us understand what may underlie the development of developmental language disorders and how to successfully address the problems that arise, so the long-term impact of studying the topic is unquestionable. Emphasis should be placed on the psychological difficulties that arise, as research has shown that young people with DLD have higher levels of mental health problems, self-harm and drug use. We have collected several suggestions and good practices that should be widely applied. As implications we can highlight that the key is to diagnose at an earlier age, using effective screening procedures for reading comprehension, and to address any mental health problems that may arise. The development of literacy and oral and written language skills in juvenile offenders is essential to prevent further offending, and SLPs are therefore much needed in correctional facilities. Addressing this issue properly, and providing professional support for these adolescences, is of utmost importance for the functioning of society, because it would ensure that these young people become valuable members of society and do not become involved in crime as adults.