New research that found about two children in every Australian classroom are suffering in silence with developmental language disorder, has alarmed a leading researcher in children’s language development.

Curtin University’s Dr Sam Calder wants to see speech pathologists placed in schools, and warns girls are less likely to be referred for help.

He told Gareth Parker on 6PR Breakfast it was time for the West Australian government to act, with more than 5100 kids across Perth waiting to see a speech pathologist.

“If we had speech pathologists working in schools on a more permanent basis, we could be addressing the needs, at the point of need, and improving the outcomes,” he said.

LISTEN 👇 to what other delays kids are facing