Article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child sets out the child’s right to expression and opinion about actions affecting them. Not all children have the capability to fully realise their rights. Some children, such as those with developmental language disorder, may require us to adjust our methods of listening in order to understand their views. In this talk, Dr Aoife Gallagher explores the persistent barriers to listening to the child with DLD about decisions that affect their lives. She proposes a need to conceptualise the adult as deficient in listening in order to ensure the rights of the child are enacted. Dr Gallagher will then outline methods and approaches from qualitative research that can help address adults’ listening needs.