What are speech and language difficulties?

Speech, language and communication underpin everything we do – making our needs known, expressing our likes and dislikes, interacting with others, building relationships and accessing education.

We often take these skills for granted, but many children struggle to communicate. They have speech and language difficulties also known as speech, language and communication needs or SLCN.

A child with SLCN:

​

• Might have have difficulties listening and concentrating on what you say to them.

​

• Their speech might be unclear and difficult to understand.

​

• They might struggle to say words or sentences.

​

• They may not understand words that are being used, or the instructions they hear.

​

• They may struggle with social communication skills.

Children may have just some or all of these difficulties.

Speech, language and communication skills are crucial for reading, learning in school, for socialising and making friends, and for understanding and controlling emotions or feelings.


SLCN can be associated with other issues including ADHD, Autism, Downs Syndrome, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Developemental Delay and social deprivation or can occur in isolation for example as in Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).

​

What is DLD?

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is a kind of neurodivergence. Children with DLD have lifelong difficulties with talking and understanding words. This can make it harder for them to communicate, learn, and navigate everyday life.  

7.6% of children in the UK have DLD – around two in every classroom. Yet hardly anyone has heard of it.  


​