A surge in speech and language challenges among children has been linked to poverty, the Covid pandemic, and increased screen time, according to warnings issued by Jane Harris, the Chief Executive of Speech and Language UK. Harris has raised concerns about the current educational support system, noting that a significant portion of children are facing difficulties with communication skills, with one in five children experiencing issues, a record high.
Many of these children facing speech challenges have special educational needs or disabilities, including neurodivergence or other impairments. Harris emphasized the critical importance of addressing these issues early on, as children struggling with communication may face obstacles in their academic, social, and emotional development.
Harris highlighted a variety of contributing factors to the rise in speech and language issues, such as the impact of poverty levels and the Covid crisis on children’s social interactions and experiences. While acknowledging that increased screen time is not the sole cause, Harris noted that substituting real-world activities with digital devices can hinder children’s developmental progress.
Furthermore, Harris emphasized that speech difficulties are not limited to early childhood but also affect teenagers, impacting their social interactions and mental well-being. She called for increased access to speech specialists and emphasized the need for comprehensive teacher training to address the crisis effectively.
Harris also advocated for the establishment of specialized hubs in schools staffed by trained professionals and the implementation of courses to educate parents on supporting their children’s speech and language development. These proposed changes are hoped to be included in the upcoming SEND white paper by the Government, spearheaded by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.
In response to the growing challenges in the SEND system, Schools Standards Minister Georgia Gould highlighted ongoing efforts to reform support services, including the rollout of the Best Start Family Hubs. She attributed the spike in issues among children to the discontinuation of Sure Start centers, which provided crucial support services for families.
Gould underscored the importance of speech and language support in the education system, affirming that it would be a key focus of the forthcoming SEND white paper. The Department for Education echoed these sentiments, emphasizing its commitment to revamping the SEND system to better serve children and families in need.