Listening Comprehension Test for DLD

This free listening comprehension quiz helps you screen for listening comprehension difficulties that may be related to Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), previously referred to as Specific Language Impairment (SLI).

Start the Free DLD Test

Free, five-minute screener for parents.

  •  Screen for listening comprehension patterns
  •  Explore background history and listening challenges
  •  Provide insights to help you decide if further steps are needed

Does your child have trouble learning when listening?

Some children have to work harder than others to understand spoken language. If your child struggles to follow verbal instructions, understand spoken explanations, or keep up with spoken lessons, it may be a sign of listening comprehension difficulties. For some children, these patterns are associated with DLD. The good news is that with the right support, children can improve their ability to learn through listening.

What is Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)?

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects a child’s ability to understand and use language. Children with DLD may struggle to follow spoken instructions, understand stories or explanations, or process spoken information in the classroom—even when hearing, intelligence, and opportunity for learning are typical.

Many parents first notice DLD through listening comprehension difficulties rather than speech delays. A child may appear inattentive, confused, or “not listening” when, in reality, they are having trouble processing spoken language.

How this DLD Online Test Can Help

A DLD online test is not a diagnosis, but it is a helpful screening tool. This listening comprehension assessment is designed to identify common patterns associated with developmental language disorder, particularly difficulties in understanding spoken language. Because the test focuses on background information and listening comprehension, it can help determine whether a child’s challenges are consistent with DLD-related learning differences. The results will help you decide whether to seek further evaluation.

This DLD online test may be especially helpful if your child:

  • Struggles to follow verbal instructions
  • Has a limited vocabulary or struggles to retrieve words, often using vague terms like ‘thing’ or ‘that’
  • Has trouble understanding stories read aloud and struggles to retell them
  • Appears to “tune out” during spoken lessons
  • Learns better with visuals than with verbal information

Earlier Support = Better Learning Outcomes.

This free assessment tool will help you determine if your child is likely to have a listening comprehension problem. The test consists of questions organized in two sections: Background History and Listening Comprehension. Your child does not need to be present to take this test. Start the DLD online test below. You’ll answer Background History first, then Listening Comprehension.

Listening Comprehension Test: Background History

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Listening Comprehension Test: Listening Comprehension

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Select the statement(s) that describe your child.
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Has a blood relative with a history of reading, spelling, or writing problems.

Was late developing spoken language (e.g., first word was developed after 14 months or first sentences after age 2 years).

Has a hearing disorder.

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How often does your child:
NeverRarelySometimesFrequentlyAlways

Struggle to follow spoken directions or explanations, especially when there are no illustrations?

Have difficulty understanding spoken language when there is a lot of background noise?

Have difficulty following verbal jokes or a story read aloud by an adult?

Struggle to participate in extended conversations or miss parts of conversations?

Mispronounce (or used to) only certain words (e.g., says amunul for animal, poothtaste for toothpaste)?

Avoid reading for pleasure?

Struggle to understand what he or she has read?

Have trouble with punctuation and capitalization?

Resist writing tasks?

Have difficulty getting thoughts down on paper?

Have trouble ending sentences with punctuation?

Have trouble completing writing tasks independently?

Make frequent grammatical errors, especially with verbs, when speaking/writing? (e.g., uses the wrong verb tense)

Seem to tire easily when doing school work?

Struggle with science and/or history terms, concepts or facts? (e.g., What is a mammal? What is democracy?)

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Please provide the following information so we can calculate your child's results.

Child's Information

Select a child:

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Adult's Information

Please answer these optional questions to help us better serve you:
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What are the main challenges you or your child face with reading? (select all that apply)

How confident are you that your school will effectively address your child's reading difficulties?

What's most important to you in a reading program? (select which best applies)

How are you (parent/caregiver) coping with your child's reading struggles? (select which best applies)

What kinds of support and services are you currently looking for? (select all that apply)

Did you know that Lexercise offers reading therapy services in addition to free testing?

If your child struggles with independent reading, which emotions do they experience? (select all that apply)

How confident are you that your school will effectively address your child's reading difficulties?

What FREE resources do you feel would help you understand and support your child's reading struggles? (select all that apply)

How did you first hear about us?

Have you purchased other reading programs or tools?

Let Us Help!

Concerned about your child’s test results or other potential learning disabilities? Our highly-trained literacy experts are ready to help via our Reading & Spelling Assessment. This is what you get when you sign up for this service:

  •  

    Access our science-backed suite of literacy assessments, customized to your child’s specific needs.

  •  

    Meet with one of our expert therapist, from the comfort of your own home, for a 45-minute, online consultation.

  •  

    Receive a detailed 8-10 page report for your records, along with a guide on next steps and resources that can benefit your struggling reader, writer, or speller.

All of this and more for a flat fee of $195

Get Started

A child can have features of both DLD and Dyslexia. If you have concerns about both listening comprehension and dyslexia (difficulty with word reading and spelling), we recommend an assessment that covers both. To screen for dyslexia, you can use Lexercise’s free, online dyslexia screener. 

Start the Free Dyslexia Screener