CARNEGIE Hall in Dunfermline was lit up in purple last Friday to raise awareness about Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) Day.

It's one of the most common conditions affecting children but most people have never heard of it, something an 11-year-old West Fife boy is hoping to change.

Finlay Urquhart, who goes to Touch Primary School, is an ambassador for RADLD (Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder) and helped mark the day with his trusty friend, Milo the pug, by donning their purple t-shirts.

His mum Elizabeth told the Press: “The charity was only set up just a few years ago and precisely because nobody has heard of it.

“If you ask people about autism they would be aware of it but so little is known about DLD despite the fact that two people in every class have it on average."

Finlay has been involved in supporting the charity for the last couple of years and has created videos to help others understand language disorder.

Statistics show that around 7.5 per cent of children are affected by DLD.

Elizabeth said: "Finlay is so open about his language disorder and he’s of the mindset that he’d rather people knew about it so they are a bit more patient with him.

“But it is also really common so the likelihood is that everyone knows someone who will have it.”

DLD is a type of speech, language and communication need that affects the way that children understand and use language.

It increases the risk of a range of negative impacts on education, employment, and social and emotional problems, but appropriate support can make a difference.

Speech and language therapists teach strategies to children with DLD and those around them, which aim to reduce the impact of their difficulties and develop their language abilities to their maximum potential.

Finlay was first diagnosed when he was three years old and now in P7, he works with a speech therapist and specialist teacher to help him navigate school.

Elizabeth continued: “At first they thought Finlay had a speech delay.

"But there was more to it and he struggles to structure sentences.

“So he might say, ‘I go walk’, instead of, ‘I went for a walk’. Finlay has excellent support but just like everything, there is a spectrum.

“So for Finlay he has good vocabulary but he can’t find the words to put sentences together.

"He also has dyslexia so it’s been difficult for him.

“But DLD has no bearing on intelligence and that’s the frustrating part because people think you are stupid.”

Finlay made a bond with Milo the pug because the dog is his speech therapist pet. The pair became ambassadors and made a video for RADLD together last year but were unable to meet up this year.

Finlay has not allowed his language disorder to get in the way of living his life and gets involved in all sorts of activities from playing rugby for Dunfermline and to being a scout.

Elizabeth added: “My advice is that if you have any concerns about language and speech with your child reach out for help – there is a phoneline operated by the NHS but I got in touch with my health visitor.

“Just ask for help instead of sitting there wondering.

“There are tricky parts like lockdown which was just incredibly hard for a child that struggles with reading and writing.

“We’ve managed to get a reading pen and laptop so now that he has got assisted tech we hope that he gets the hang of it during P7 and be ready to take on the challenge when he goes to high school.

“But one thing about Finlay is he is so positive - he never gives up. We taught him he can do anything and he has a brilliant attitude.”