The surge in speech and language challenges among children is attributed to poverty, the Covid pandemic, and the prevalence of screen-based activities, according to a warning issued by Jane Harris, the Chief Executive of Speech and Language UK. Harris has urged government officials to address the pressing issues faced by children, emphasizing that the current system is failing a significant number of them, with one in five children experiencing difficulties with speech and language, marking a record high.
A substantial portion of these children are grappling with speech impediments associated with special educational needs and disabilities, such as neurodivergence or disabilities. Harris expressed concern over the increasing number of children struggling to communicate effectively, highlighting the detrimental impact on their academic performance, social interactions, and emotional well-being.
Harris attributed the rise in speech and language problems to a combination of factors, including heightened levels of poverty and the disruptive effects of the ongoing pandemic. She noted that children are missing out on crucial developmental experiences due to increased screen time, which often replaces real-world interactions and hampers their language development.
While traditionally seen as an issue primarily affecting young children, Harris emphasized that teenagers are also facing speech and language difficulties, impacting their social relationships and mental health. She emphasized the need for more access to speech and language specialists and advocated for enhanced training for teachers to better support students with communication challenges.
Harris called for the implementation of specialized hubs in schools staffed by trained professionals and emphasized the importance of providing training courses for parents. These proposed changes are hoped to be incorporated into the upcoming Government’s SEND white paper, set to be released early next year.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is spearheading a comprehensive reform of the SEND system in response to longstanding calls for change from various stakeholders. The government has already initiated measures such as the Best Start Family Hubs to address the growing demands for improved support services.
Speaking about the impact of discontinued services like Sure Start centers, Schools Standards Minister Georgia Gould highlighted the repercussions on families and stressed the need for reinstating supportive infrastructure. Gould underscored the significance of speech and language support in the ongoing discussions with schools and families, signaling its central role in the upcoming SEND white paper.
A Department for Education spokesperson reiterated the government’s commitment to revamping the SEND system to ensure better outcomes for every child and rebuild parental trust.