DLD, multilingualism, and AI: new professor to research developmental language disorders

Between 5 and 7 per cent of all children have a developmental language disorder (DLD). Yet far less is known about it than about conditions such as ADHD or dyslexia. From 1 May 2026, Elena Tribushinina has been appointed Professor of Developmental Language Disorders: AI supported inclusive education in a multilingual society, a chair funded by the Royal Auris Group. “Through this research, I hope to contribute to a greater understanding of DLD,” says Tribushinina, “among both academics and practitioners.”

Multilingualism, inclusive education, and artificial intelligence

People with DLD have difficulty understanding and using language. This has wide-ranging consequences, for example for their communication and learning abilities. Tribushinina’s research focuses on how children with DLD can be meaningfully included in mainstream education.

Multilingualism is one of the chair’s central themes. “Many children with DLD grow up multilingual,” says Tribushinina. “Speaking two or more languages is an asset and brings many advantages. But it also presents challenges, for instance in the diagnostics of DLD. The Education Council advises that all languages a child knows should be drawn upon in education. However, very little is yet known about how this can be achieved for children with DLD.”

Multilingualism is an asset and brings many advantages. But it also presents challenges, for instance in the diagnostics of DLD.

Tribushinina focuses specifically on inclusive education: schooling in which children and young people with and without additional support needs attend the same school. She also investigates how artificial intelligence can help to support children with DLD.

“The Dutch government aims to have most children in inclusive education by 2035. This means that pupils with DLD will increasingly find themselves in large classes, taught by teachers who know little about DLD and do not have sufficient time to provide them with the additional support they need. Education and trade unions presented a report on this to the House of Representatives today.”

“We must ensure that these pupils do not fall through the cracks. It is therefore important to start looking for solutions now. Together with my team at the university and the Research and Innovation teams at Auris, we will investigate, for example, whether children with DLD can receive additional support through AI tools and other technological innovations. I very much look forward to these collaborations.”

Bridging research and practice

The chair is based across two faculties at Utrecht University: the Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. In her research, Tribushinina works closely with the research team at Auris, a care and education organisation that provides tailored education and supports professionals through training and advice. In this way, the linguist connects the worlds of research and everyday practice.

Children with DLD will increasingly find themselves in large classes, taught by teachers who know little about DLD.

“Research into DLD, in connection with multilingualism, inclusive education, and technology, is both academically and socially relevant,” says Thomas Vaessens, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities. “We place great value on the societal impact of the humanities, and are delighted to have been able to appoint Elena Tribushinina to this chair."

Leoniek Wijngaards-de Meij, Dean of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, likewise welcomes the new chair. “DLD sits at the intersection of linguistics and pedagogy. Professor Tribushinina’s work connects seamlessly with that of the department of Pedagogy in Diverse Societies. They investigate questions around the optimal development and participation of children and young people in diverse societies.”

“At Auris, we work with children with DLD every day,” says Korrie Louwes, Chair of the Executive Board. “The combination of DLD, AI, and multilingualism is exactly what the field is calling for right now. The knowledge Elena Tribushinina develops will be brought directly into practice. We are proud to have found in her a professor who brings all these themes together.”

About Auris

Royal Auris Group is a specialist partner for people who need support with hearing, speech, or language. Auris runs schools for special education, outreach services, audiological centres and care facilities, and carries out applied scientific research.