ONLINE: Mental Health for Young People with Language Disorders

"LIVE" and Recorded Online Learning

Session 1 Thursday 19th November 2026, 1.00pm-4.30pm NZDT

Session 2 Thursday 10th December 2026, 1.00pm-4.30pm NZDT 

Both sessions will be RECORDED and the recording will be available for 14 days after the "live" session.

Overview and Intended Participants

This webinar is aimed at speech pathologists who have experience providing language intervention for young people experiencing language disorder. ‘Language disorder’ includes developmental language disorder (DLD) and language disorder associated with other conditions (e.g. autism). Young people with language disorder are at increased risk of mental health difficulties, including anxiety, low mood, and social challenges. Speech pathologists often see the impact of these difficulties in therapy, education, and everyday functioning. At the same time, clinicians work within diverse contexts, where their role in supporting mental health can feel unclear.

This webinar is suited to speech pathologists who wish to feel more confident in understanding and supporting the co-occurring mental health needs of young people with language disorder on their caseload. In this webinar, speech pathologists will be supported to reflect on their role and decision-making within their own context, and to recognise how language-focused intervention can contribute to a young person’s mental health, wellbeing, and engagement across environments. There will be a strong emphasis on practical tools, strategies, and therapy activities that can be applied immediately in clinical sessions. This webinar aims to be relevant for speech pathologists who work with school aged students and adolescents in various contexts, such as schools, private practice, community, and disability services.

Registration and Online Learning Details

Single registration cost is for each individual, not per site. Zoom will be used to deliver the training with “meeting room” details emailed to participants prior to the event. You will need to download Zoom software to your computer. A webcam and inbuilt microphone on your computer is also preferable so you can fully participate.

Readings and Resources

Recommended readings and resources will be shared 1-2 weeks before the event.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this two-part webinar, participants will:

• Understand the link between language disorder and mental health

• Recognise how mental health challenges may present in speech pathology contexts

• Navigate when concerns may warrant further discussion or referral

• Have the knowledge and practical resources to target core language skills that support socioemotional wellbeing and engagement in mental health services

• Feel equipped to support young people with language disorders to participate in other services (e.g. school or mental health supports)

• Feel empowered to collaborate with families and other professionals to support students with co-occurring language and mental health challenges

About Dr Emily Jackson

Emily is a speech pathologist, researcher, and lecturer who is passionate about supporting communication and wellbeing outcomes alongside neurodivergent young people and their families. Emily brings considerable clinical experience working with children and adolescents with language and learning difficulties, alongside delivering training and support to teachers and other professionals. She currently works as a senior speech pathologist within a youth forensic mental health service, supporting young people with complex neurodevelopmental and mental health needs. Emily also works as a lecturer and researcher in speech pathology at Curtin University. Her research has a strong focus on the intersection between language, learning, and mental health, and she has published widely in this area. Emily’s work is grounded in co-design with young people, families, and professionals, and she has received several awards recognising her research and community impact (e.g. the Australian Journal of Learning Difficulties Early Career Researcher Award and the RCSLT Giving Voice Award). Emily is co-lead of the Engage with DLD project and a proud member of the Language and Literacy in Young People research group and the enAble Institute.