Robert and Karl to discuss DLD experiences on Someone Like Me

A LOCAL boy with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is set to appear on a podcast next week alongside an adult with the same condition, where they will discuss their experiences.

Citywest boy Robert Mockler, 13, will host RTÉ’s ‘Someone Like Me’ podcast on Monday, February 14, interviewing Karl Reddy, who is a past pupil of St Colmcille’s Community School in Knocklyon.

Both Robert and Karl have DLD, a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition with one of the main signs of the condition being difficulty with communicating, particularly in relation to speaking and language comprehension.

Robert has been actively working to raise awareness of DLD in recent years and, for him, appearing on ‘Someone Like Me’, which was recorded a few weeks ago in advance of being aired on Monday, is another avenue for him to help people to understand the condition.

“I feel pretty happy, it’s pretty good to be on [the podcast],” Robert told The Echo.

“I’ve been on other podcasts and TV shows but it was really exciting to do this one.

“I feel a lot more confident in saying things now. I feel a lot more honest because before now I wouldn’t have been speaking as much – it was just amazing to meet Karl.”

Robert Mockler and Karl Reddy with discuss their experiences on the podcast ‘Someone Like Me’

Back in 2016, when he was a transition year student, Karl and some of his classmates made a video detailing his experience of living with DLD.

He compared the condition to his brain being full of files in a filing cabinet, labelled from A to Z, and his brain was mismatching the file he was looking for as a result of DLD.

Karl will go into further detail on the podcast about how he navigates life with DLD, and he told The Echo that he wished he knew an adult with the condition when he was growing up.

“When I was growing up, pupils and teachers alike didn’t quite understand what DLD was, and it was quite hard for me to explain it to them, what it was and why it made me who I was then,” Karl explained.

“It would have been great to have had a guide who understood DLD or even experienced DLD firsthand.

“I’m glad we live in the world we do with all these social media platforms to communicate with each other and tell our stories to a broader audience. I wished I’d had this when I was growing up in school.”

Robert and Karl talk through their own experiences on the podcast, which Robert hopes will increase people’s understanding of the condition.

When asked about what people can do to help those with DLD, Robert said: “Listen more and understand – not just stand there and say nothing and make people [with DLD] feel awkward, maybe say ‘take your time’ or ‘do you need a minute’.”

Karl echoed this sentiment, by adding that patience and understanding can help people who are struggling with DLD.

“I think the most important message to send to people is to ask people to be patient and understanding of one’s disability, including DLD,” he said.

“Just because you can’t see it, it doesn’t mean that the person across from you isn’t struggling.

“Be wary of the signs of DLD and encourage those with it to get involved in conversation to help them develop their skills.

“If you think they are struggling to explain or understand a certain topic, be patient and help them out.”

Produced by Kate Brennan-Harding, the episode of ‘Someone Like Me’ featuring Karl and Robert will be available online at rte.ie/radio/podcasts and live on RTÉJnr at 7pm next Monday, February 14.