A surge in speech and language issues among children has been attributed to poverty, the Covid pandemic, and increased screen time, according to an alert from Jane Harris, the Chief Executive of Speech and Language UK. Harris has urged ministers to address the growing problem ahead of the release of the long-awaited special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) strategy.
Currently, a significant number of children are struggling with speech and language, with one in five children facing challenges in communication and understanding, marking a record high. Nearly half of these children experiencing difficulties have speech issues related to SEND, including neurodivergence or disabilities.
Harris emphasized the critical impact of these challenges on children’s educational and social development. She highlighted that without proper support, children may face obstacles in learning subjects like English and math, building friendships, and expressing emotions effectively.
The rise in speech issues is not limited to early childhood but also affects teenagers, impacting their social interactions and mental well-being. To address this crisis, Harris stressed the need for increased access to speech and language specialists and advocated for enhanced training for teachers.
She called for additional support in schools through specialist hubs staffed with trained educators and courses to educate parents. These recommendations are hoped to be incorporated into the Government’s upcoming SEND white paper, set to be published early next year.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is planning a comprehensive overhaul of the struggling SEND system, responding to long-standing demands for reform from various stakeholders. Schools Standards Minister Georgia Gould highlighted ongoing initiatives such as the Best Start Family Hubs, inspired by Sure Start centers, aimed at supporting families and enhancing educational structures.
Gould attributed the rise in children’s issues to the removal of preventative services like Sure Start centers under previous policies. She emphasized the importance of addressing speech and language challenges as a priority in the forthcoming SEND white paper.
A Department for Education spokesperson underscored the government’s commitment to revamping the SEND system to better support families and improve outcomes for every child.